Russell Begaye: “Instead of this bill, the Subcommittee should be holding a hearing on H.R. 4518, the Bears Ears National Monument…”

I am here because our people care enormously about the Bears Ears National Monument and stand united with the tribes represented before you today.

I encourage all to carefully read the Obama Proclamation, as it presents a thorough, accurate, and compelling justification for the establishment of the Monument.

H.R. 5780 stands to reduce the Navajo Nation revenues. The bill would decrease the Navajo Nation's royalty revenues from its oil and gas leases located in the Aneth extension on the Navajo reservation from 62.5 percent to 37.5 percent.

For these reasons, we strongly advocate that the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act be reauthorized at the proposed $13 million levels for each fiscal years 2019 through 2023.