Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill makes a small change to the previously approved water rights settlement in order to allow the White Mountain Apache Tribe in Arizona to complete work on a rural water system. Specifically, the bill clarifies that funding Congress has already authorized for water-related economic development projects can be used to cover possible construction cost overruns associated with the Tribe's main water project, which will provide drinking water supplies for Tribal members once completed. In addition, section 2 of the bill clarifies that the Pueblos of Santa Clara and Ohkay Owingeh in New Mexico are authorized to lease all of their Tribal lands for up to 99 years. Currently, the Pueblos have the option to enter into 99-year leases only on their trust lands, as this option is not extended to their restricted fee lands. Passage of this provision will correct that discrepancy, allowing the Pueblos the same flexibility in leasing terms that other Tribes already possess. I would like to thank our New Mexico colleagues, Senator Tom Udall and Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, for advocating for this issue and for getting this provision included in the legislation. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill which is sponsored by Senator Jeff Flake. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, so I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr.…”