WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn have introduced new legislation aimed at compelling Mexico to adhere to a decades-old water-sharing treaty, proposing to halt U.S. water deliveries to Mexico and impose sanctions if the country continues to fail in its obligations under the **Texas Water Treaty**. This crucial water sharing treaty is at the heart of recent legislative actions.
The proposed bill, an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), targets Mexico’s persistent shortfalls in delivering water to the United States under the 1944 Treaty Relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande. This treaty mandates that Mexico deliver an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water annually from its river tributaries to the U.S. over a five-year cycle, totaling 1.75 million acre-feet for the period. In return, the U.S. is obligated to deliver 1.5 million acre-feet of water annually from the Colorado River to Mexico, a key component of international water agreements impacting the region, often referred to in discussions about the **Texas Water Treaty**. The ongoing challenge of Mexico water deliveries is a critical concern.
Mexico’s Growing Water Debt and the **Texas Water Treaty**
According to U.S. officials and agricultural advocates, Mexico has consistently failed to meet its treaty obligations, leading to significant water deficits that have severely impacted Texas. As the current five-year cycle nears its end in October 2025, Mexico is estimated to owe the U.S. nearly 1.3 million acre-feet of water. In the most recent completed five-year cycle, Mexico delivered only 50.5% of the total water due. This ongoing non-compliance has exacerbated **Texas drought** conditions in South Texas, threatening the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers and contributing to economic hardship, a direct consequence of the strained **Texas Water Treaty**. Addressing this international water dispute is paramount for the region’s prosperity.
“Texas farmers and cities are suffering because Mexico has consistently failed to uphold its end of the bargain and provide Texans with the water they count on in the framework of the 1944 Water Treaty,” stated Senator Cruz. He emphasized that the situation is “hurting the livelihoods of farmers, ranchers, and producers throughout South Texas”. Agricultural advocates have pointed to the closure of the last sugar mill in Texas in 2024 as a direct consequence of these water shortages. The economic impact on the Rio Grande Valley was estimated at nearly $1 billion in 2023 due to the ongoing water deficit and failure to meet the terms of the **Texas Water Treaty**. The scarcity of Rio Grande water has become a crisis.
Legislative Action and Sanctions for the **Texas Water Treaty**
The legislation introduced by Senators Cruz and Cornyn seeks to strengthen U.S. diplomatic leverage by introducing punitive measures related to the **Texas Water Treaty**. The amendment requires the U.S. Secretary of State to annually report to Congress on Mexico’s compliance with its water delivery obligations. If Mexico is found to be noncompliant, the bill mandates the President to impose one or more of the following actions:
* Prohibiting U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) aid to Mexico’s private sector.
* Prohibiting U.S. Trade and Development Agency funds for grantees in Mexico.
* Capping foreign assistance to Mexico at 85% of appropriated levels, with an exemption for anti-opioid and synthetic drug programs.
This initiative represents an escalation of efforts by Texas lawmakers to address the water dispute, particularly concerning the **Texas Water Treaty**. Previously, a bipartisan group of Texas representatives, including Senator Ted Cruz and Senator John Cornyn, urged appropriators to withhold funds from Mexico if treaty compliance was not met, with the House reportedly taking such action. These efforts underscore the urgency of Mexico water deliveries and the need to uphold the water sharing treaty.
Mexico’s Defense and the Drought Factor in **Texas Water Treaty** Compliance
Mexican officials have repeatedly cited severe drought conditions in northern Mexico as the primary reason for their inability to meet treaty obligations. They argue that water scarcity impacts their own agricultural and domestic needs, making it difficult, if not impossible, to fulfill deliveries under the **Texas Water Treaty**. Despite these challenges, Mexico has made some recent commitments to increase water deliveries. In April 2025, Mexico agreed to deliver up to 420,000 acre-feet of water by October 2025 as part of efforts to pay down its debt. However, even with these transfers, Mexico would still fall significantly short of its total obligation for the cycle, leaving a substantial deficit in Rio Grande water and further complicating adherence to the **Texas Water Treaty**. The Colorado River treaty component is also under strain.
Broader Implications and Future Enforcement of the **Texas Water Treaty**
The dispute highlights the strain on the 81-year-old treaty, which some experts argue is outdated and inadequately equipped to handle modern challenges like climate change and increased transboundary water demand. There is a growing sentiment among some U.S. officials and stakeholders that the treaty lacks sufficient enforcement teeth. Discussions are ongoing regarding the possibility of integrating water treaty enforcement mechanisms into the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) during its upcoming review to provide stronger leverage for the **Texas Water Treaty**. This ongoing international water dispute demands a robust solution.
Former President Donald Trump has also publicly addressed the issue, accusing Mexico of “stealing” water and threatening tariffs and sanctions to force compliance. The current news surrounding this legislative push adds to the ongoing political buzz in Texas concerning water scarcity and the vital need for reliable Colorado River treaty adherence. The urgency of Mexico water deliveries cannot be overstated.
The fate of the Cruz-Cornyn legislation remains uncertain, as it must navigate the Senate and potentially the House of Representatives and receive presidential assent. However, the senators’ move signals a firm stance by Texas leadership demanding accountability and reliable water supplies for the state’s vital agricultural sector, emphasizing the importance of the **Texas Water Treaty**. Upholding this water sharing treaty is critical for the future of Texas.
