AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas leaders are arguing for water rights in front of the U.S. Supreme Court this week.

The years-long argument stems from the state sharing water rights to the Rio Grande River with New Mexico.

Texas claims New Mexico pumps more water than its allowed to under a 1938 agreement. In 2013, Texas asked New Mexico to stop pumping groundwater along the border all together so more water could reach El Paso.

The Rio Grande Compact apportions the waters of the Rio Grande among Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. Texas is deprived of water apportioned to it by the Compact because New Mexico has authorized and permitted more than 3,000 wells near the Rio Grande in New Mexico.