California's senators slam water bill passed by the House

The House of Representatives has passed a bill that essentially rewrites California’s water laws and gets rid of some environmental protections. The measure is likely to go nowhere in the Senate.

The House bill throws out state and federal agreements that set aside water for restoring fish habitat. Instead, that water would be allowed to flow downstream for use by Central Valley farmers.

The bill’s author, Republican Congressman Devin Nunes of Tulare, says House Speaker John Boehner came to the Central Valley to see effects of what some call a “man-made drought.”

"When they see this, when they see the travesty, it’s frightening what the government can do," Nunes says.

Three California House Democrats voted with the GOP to pass the bill: Joe Baca of San Bernadino and Dennis Cardoza and Jim Costa of the Central Valley.

However, the measure faces stiff opposition in the Senate from the state’s two senators. Democrat Dianne Feinstein calls the bill “overkill” that protects only farmers. "It says we get ours and to heck with everybody else."

Democrat Barbara Boxer calls it a “radical proposal to eviscerate state and federal environmental laws and water rights.”

Feinstein says she’s started work on her own measure. "I am primarily interested in what we do in drought years," Feinstein says. "In defining what a drought year is and then making changes that can accommodate needs. It has to have balance, and particularly as far as the Delta restoration is concerned."

Feinstein says above average levels at state reservoirs combined with recent snows in the Sierras mean no drought this year, which gives time to craft what she calls a balanced bill.

President Barack Obama has threatened to veto the House bill.