House Approves California Water Plan That Splits State’s Democratic Senators

The House on Thursday overwhelmingly approved the biggest federal reset of California water use in a generation, setting the stage for easier dam-building, more recycling and potentially happier Central Valley farmers. By a 360 to 61 vote that divided California representatives, the House approved the drought-inspired California provisions as part of a broader water projects bill that now heads to the Senate. Disappointing environmentalists and some Northern California Democrats, the White House declined to issue a potentially lethal veto threat. “It is a bill that helps deliver water to our communities,” said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield.