©2026 League of Conservation Voters
2017 Scorecard Vote
230
190
12
Issues
Representative David Valadao (R-CA) sponsored H.R. 23, the Gaining Responsibility on Water Act of 2017, which would weaken the protections for fish, birds, and other wildlife in California’s Bay-Delta. This legislation would undermine the Endangered Species Act, jeopardizing populations of salmon and other local fisheries; threaten the habitat of millions of birds by reducing funding sources and undermining the water rights of wildlife refuges; and put at risk thousands of jobs that rely on a healthy Bay-Delta. This bill would also negatively impact other Western states by reducing public input and review of water projects, cutting out agency expertise during environmental review, and limiting state and federal government abilities to manage and protect water resources. Lastly, this legislation undermines provisions in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act designed to manage California water operations, which required compliance with the Endangered Species Act as well as state laws. On July 12, the House approved H.R. 23 by a vote of 230-190 (House roll call vote 352). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. The Senate took no action on this legislation.
©2026 League of Conservation Voters