Texas Political Spotlight

Mexico Agrees to Increased Water Deliveries Amid Treaty Shortfall

Author

TXLege
April 30, 2025

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Mexico has agreed to increase water deliveries to the U.S. under the 1944 Water Treaty, addressing a shortfall that has sparked tensions between the two nations. Meanwhile, Texas lawmakers have passed SB 31, the “Life of the Mother Act,” a bill aimed at clarifying abortion laws in life-threatening medical cases. In other news, former Congressman Beto O'Rourke hints at a possible return to politics, leaving the door open for a potential 2026 Senate run.

Today’s Insights:

  • Mexico Agrees to Increased Water Deliveries Amid Treaty Shortfall

  • SB 31, the “Life of the Mother Act,” Passes Through Texas Senate

  • O’Rourke Weighs Return to Texas Politics

Image Credit: Newsweek

Mexico Agrees to Increased Water Deliveries Amid Treaty Shortfall

On Monday, the U.S. State Department announced that Mexico has agreed to deliver up to 420,000 acre-feet of water to the United States by October as part of its obligations under the 1944 U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty. The agreement comes amid rising tensions over Mexico's shortfall in water deliveries during the current five-year cycle, which ends this fall. As of now, Mexico has delivered less than 600,000 acre-feet of the required 1.75 million acre-feet, and even with the new deliveries, it would still fall short of the treaty’s target by over 800,000 acre-feet. The new deal also includes an immediate transfer of 56,750 acre-feet from the jointly operated Amistad Reservoir and sets up monthly deliveries from both Amistad and Falcon reservoirs.

U.S. Representative Monica De La Cruz shared further details of the agreement on Tuesday:

The agreement expands U.S. access to water from six treaty-managed tributaries, increasing the American share from one-third to one-half, and includes additional water from the Río San Juan, an unregulated source under the treaty. A follow-up meeting between both nations is scheduled for July to evaluate progress and hydrological conditions. Senator John Cornyn also publicly welcomed the agreement, stating:

“South Texas has been devastated by Mexico’s repeated refusal to deliver the water it has owed the United States for far too long, and I commend the Trump administration for securing this critical deal for Mexico to finally send water to the region.”

“This new agreement will bring substantial amounts of acre-feet of water to the U.S., and I thank President Trump, Secretary Rubio, Secretary Rollins, and Deputy Secretary Landau for their leadership after years of the Biden administration sitting on its hands and letting Texans suffer.”

Image Credit: Votebeat

SB 31, the “Life of the Mother Act,” Passes Through Texas Senate

The Texas Senate on Tuesday afternoon unanimously approved SB 31, which seeks to clarify the state’s abortion laws in cases where a pregnant patient’s life is at risk. The bill, authored by Sen. Bryan Hughes, expressly permits doctors to perform abortions legally in life-threatening situations and aims to ensure that physicians no longer have to wait until medical situation becomes a crisis. The bill also mandates training for doctors and lawyers on the nuances of the law.

SB 31 was first introduced earlier this session in response to widespread concern from the medical community that the current legal framework is too vague, forcing delays in care due to fear of legal repercussions. The bill aligns language across Texas’ three existing abortion bans, including the state’s 19th-century criminal statute. After negotiations among anti-abortion organizations, medical associations, and lawmakers from both parties, the bill now heads to the Texas House, where a similar measure, HB 44, is moving through committee.

O’Rourke Weighs Return to Texas Politics

Former U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke said he has not ruled out a future run for office during a town hall event held Saturday at Anderson’s Eatery & Distillery in Denton. When asked if he would run for U.S. Senate in 2026, O’Rourke responded that his current focus remains on his voter mobilization organization, Powered By People, but added:

"If it comes to pass, that this is what the people of Texas want, that it's the highest and best use of what I can give to you, then yes, I will."

O’Rourke, who previously represented Texas’ 16th congressional district from 2013 to 2019, has launched three high-profile campaigns: one for U.S. Senate in 2018, a president bid in 2020, and a run for governor in 2022, all of which were unsuccessful.

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