Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California

WASHINGTON – On March 17, 2010 the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee released a news statement that falsely accused Congressman Cardoza of trading his vote on health care reform for more irrigation water for the San Joaquin Valley.

This accusation is absolutely false and nothing more than an election-year smear tactic. Unfortunately, it has been repeated by some news organizations, including Fox News, and taken as fact without a single phone call to the Congressman’s office.

Congressman Cardoza has repeatedly stated he will not take a position on health care reform until he has had an opportunity to read the bill, which was only released today. Further, he is on the record as stating that he was not pleased with the amount of water allocated to Valley farmers this spring.

Given that Congressman Cardoza is not satisfied with the water allocation and he has not yet taken a position on the health care reform bill, this accusation has no basis in fact and makes absolutely no sense at all.