I believe our constituents and the American people deserve better.

The importance of these settlements to providing certainty to both Indian and non-Indian communities cannot be overstated, particularly when climate change and drought threaten water supplies throughout the West.

whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting

I believe we have a responsibility to uphold our commitments to Native American tribes.

These settlement funds, which come on line in 2020, will go a long way towards paying for the $1.6 billion backlog to complete just five of the currently authorized Indian water rights settlements.

The three bills before us today cover two issues of great importance to Indian Country, economic development and tribal water rights settlements.

These three bills give Congress a chance to do the right thing by those tribal communities to whom we owe legal, financial and moral obligations.

we are trying to bring certainty, as Mr. Tubbs said, to the process

The Navajo Utah legislation will cost upwards of $200 million.

water is for fighting

Moving on to my bill, S. 3168 would permanently extend the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund in order to meet our trust responsibility to Indian Country.

This Administration and Congress have said they are committed to Indian water rights settlements versus costly litigation. However, we need that commitment tied to a true financial commitment.

I would urge us also to come together around some of the other things that historically we have been able to come together around, including the Land and Water Conservation Fund and taking care of our wildlife as well.

There is no doubt about that. How serious a threat are these vulnerabilities for our State and local election systems?

Arm is working with the U.S. Government more proactively than was done when addressing the original Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities.

I think you are right. I am perfectly happy to work with you and have the Commerce Committee do all of the work on cybersecurity.

I think it would further the relationship.

I have heard from some tribes in New Mexico about stewardship contracts. These contracts can be difficult and sometimes inflexible.