Native Americans, and you are going to hear from them today, we have the Chairman and the President of the Hopi and Navajo Nation, as well as the Chairman of the All-Indian Pueblo Council, representing 20 pueblos in New Mexico and Texas…

This legislation, quite frankly, Mr. Chairman, is a deception.

This land exchange has strong bipartisan support across the State of Arizona.

I made a request to Chairman Hastings and Ranking Member Markey to delay this hearing until there is meaningful government-to-government consultation between the Federal Government and tribal Nations affected by this legislation.

We strongly oppose this bill and the land transfer it mandates for three reasons: one, it will destroy our sacred areas; two, it will deplete and contaminate the region's already overdrawn water supply; and three, it is a bad deal for the…

the bill constitutes a multi-billion dollar giveaway to a foreign-owned mining company

I like the NEPA process, I like consultation, government-to-government, because I don't try to tell you what to do and what you need.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And an inventory and a list of all the Native Nations and tribal governments that are in opposition of the legislation.

Proponents of the legislation say, 'We are going to leave the surface alone, so what is the problem?' And would you please tell them what the problem is going to be down the road, not only in terms of a sacred site, but in terms of the…

I would suggest that before you take my word for it or take the denials as truth, that a formal request from the Chair and the Ranking Member to the State Department to validate and verify that.

I urge my colleagues to support the legislation because I know it will lead to a better future for my constituents and this country.