WASHINGTON – With nary a word, the Senate on Thursday night passed a California drought-relief bill that sets up serious negotiations with the House over water storage, river protection, irrigation deliveries and more.

The dealmaking to come will test Democrats and Republicans alike. It could make or break some reputations, and potentially pit one Central Valley region against another. It’s still a work in progress, though the Senate’s action was a big step forward for those who want a bill and a blow to those who fear the end result.

“My hope is that this process can proceed quickly and bypass many of the controversial issues that have been raised in the past,” Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Thursday night. “While we do need long-term solutions to the state’s water problems, the bill the Senate passed today authorizes immediate actions to help California.”

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