Water
Nevada is a national leader when it comes to protecting our water supply, but there’s more work to be done as we face the ongoing effects of the American West’s worst drought in 12 centuries. As Vice-Chair of the bipartisan Colorado River Caucus, I am dedicated to finding solutions that will improve on our successful practices, keep more water in Lake Mead, and protect our water supply for generations to come.
Investing in Water Infrastructure
Last Congress, my Large-Scale Water Recycling Project Investment Act was signed into law as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, along with more than $400 million to improve Nevada’s water infrastructure. In 2023, I secured more than $122 million for local water projects, including the Las Vegas Wash and Lake Mead. And in 2024, I helped secure another $4 million for the Lake Mead/Las Vegas Wash Program.
Managing Water Data
This Congress, I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to close the biggest data gap in water management to get critical water use data in the hands of water managers, farmers, ranchers, and decision-makers for improved water management and stewardship – because you can't manage what you can't measure.
The Colorado River
I led a bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives calling on the Biden Administration to take federal action to safeguard the Colorado River System after a series of missed deadlines. This call to action helped build the momentum necessary for the Colorado River Basin states to reach a historic agreement to voluntarily conserve 3 million additional acre-feet of water over the next three years.
The Las Vegas Wash and Lake Mead
The Las Vegas Wash carries more than 200 million gallons of water to Lake Mead every day and allows southern Nevada to recycle nearly every drop of water it uses indoors. I’ve introduced legislation to raise the funding cap of the federal Las Vegas Wash program – and joined with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation in 2023 to announce $20 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to protect and restore the Wash. In 2023, I secured more than $122 million for local water projects, including the Las Vegas Wash and Lake Mead. And in 2024, I helped secure another $4 million for the Lake Mead/Las Vegas Wash Program.
More on Water
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Susie Lee voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which will lower costs for prescription drugs and health care, create good-paying clean energy jobs, invest in drought resiliency, reduce the deficit, and more.
WASHINGTON – As Nevada and the western United States face the worst drought in 12 centuries, Rep. Lee has championed legislation to combat drought, promote water conservation, and invest in western water infrastructure. Five of these bills championed by Rep.
