Arizona Lawmakers and Governor Demand Federal Action on Colorado River Emergency as Drought Deepens

Bipartisan Congressional Pair and Governor Push for $500 Million in Drought Mitigation Funding Before September Deadline

PHOENIX — In a rare display of bipartisanship, Arizona's Republican and Democratic congressional representatives joined forces this week to demand immediate federal action on the state's worsening Colorado River crisis, warning that billions in critical funding could expire without use.

Rep. Andy Biggs and Rep. Greg Stanton sent a joint letter to the Bureau of Reclamation and the Office of Management and Budget urging them to release at least $500 million in drought mitigation money set aside by Congress. The funding, established as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, is scheduled to expire in September with not all of it yet distributed.

"Reclamation leadership, in front of numerous congressional staff, indicated they want to use these resources as a carrot, if you will, to get an agreement done between the states," Stanton said. "This is for the overall health of the river."

The two lawmakers, who crossed party lines to collaborate on this issue, specifically pointed to the inactive Yuma Desalting Plant in southern Arizona as a potential use for the funds. Biggs has long advocated for reviving the facility, which could provide Arizona with additional water supply and reduce dependence on the Colorado River.

Governor Frames Water Fight as National Security Issue

Gov. Katie Hobbs has made her own pitch to federal officials, arguing that Arizona's water supply is critical to national defense, food production, and technology manufacturing.

"No other state can make that economic case, that national security case that Arizona can make on Colorado River water," Hobbs said.

The governor cited Arizona's role in producing semiconductors, Tomahawk missiles, and supplying 90 percent of the nation's winter leafy greens — all industries that depend on groundwater and canal-delivered Colorado River water.

Hobbs told KTAR 92.3 FM that she has been directly asking the Trump administration to support Arizona's position in federal water negotiations. Seven Western basin states remain deadlocked over how to divide the shrinking river, having missed multiple deadlines to reach a new water-sharing agreement.

State Budget Tensions Complicate Federal Appeal

The Colorado River crisis unfolds against a backdrop of state budget impasse between Governor Hobbs and Republican legislative leaders. The governor has accused Republicans of blocking her budgets without offering alternatives, while legislative leaders have rejected her proposals as unbalanced.

Hobbs said she has been focused on doing what's right for Arizonans during the budget negotiations, noting that federal policies including gas prices, tariffs, Medicaid cuts, and ACA tax credit eliminations are driving up costs for families.

"I am always focused on doing what's right for Arizonans. And right now we are at a really critical point in our Colorado River negotiations. I've been very vocal on asking the federal government to step in and support Arizona's position, making sure we get the share of Colorado River water that we are owed," Hobbs said.

Technology Solutions Offer Hope

While Congress and the governor push for federal intervention, Arizona communities are also implementing practical solutions to conserve water. In the Yuma area, where the Colorado River supplies both irrigation and drinking water, more than 15 canals now use automated gates to improve water delivery efficiency.

"We are currently trying to develop a fully autonomous automated irrigation district," said Nick Bard of the Bard Water District. "The idea is for these gates to also communicate with each other and realize there is an overflow of water, and it can then redirect the water to a different location and help conserve that as well."

The automated system allows water users to place orders online, track deliveries on a schedule, and monitor canal conditions remotely. District leaders expect to complete the buildout in less than five years, which could significantly reduce water waste and improve safety during extreme heat.

A Partisan Issue? Not According to the River

Stanton emphasized that the request for drought mitigation funding should not be seen as a partisan issue, even though he and Biggs represent opposing parties.

"He said he doesn't know if other states are making similar demands, but said his and Biggs' request isn't just about Arizona. 'This is for the overall health of the river,' he said."

The Colorado River basin states have been negotiating a new water deal for years amid prolonged drought, record demand, and a hotter, drier future. Arizona farmers are already making tough decisions to compensate for water cuts, while cities across the state are implementing conservation measures.

What's Next

The congressional pair is pressing the Bureau of Reclamation and federal budget officials to act before the September deadline. Meanwhile, Governor Hobbs continues her campaign to get Arizona's fair share of Colorado River water, arguing that the state's economic and national security interests deserve special consideration.

As Arizona faces its most severe water crisis in decades, the convergence of federal funding deadlines, state budget negotiations, and regional water negotiations creates a complex political landscape that could determine the future of water security in the Southwest.