Deb Haaland: “I strongly oppose this amendment because it would allow Secretary Bernhardt to kill this bill, preventing protections…”

“I strongly oppose this amendment because it would allow Secretary Bernhardt to kill this bill, preventing protections for the important cultural sites at Chaco Canyon. In response to this amendment, I would point you to the text of H.R. 2181. The bill text states: ``Nothing in this act affects the mineral rights of an Indian Tribe or member of an Indian Tribe or trust land or allotment land.'' It could not be any clearer than that; yet we have had this debate in hearings, in markups, and even moments ago during debate and in amendments. I understand and appreciate the concerns of the Navajo allottees, and I appreciated when Ms. Hesuse came before our committee to share her concerns with us. It is important that we take these perspectives into consideration, which is why I appreciate Representative Lujan's effort to make explicitly clear that this bill will have no impact on the rights of allotted owners. But, at the same time, we need to listen to the voices of Native communities and their elected leaders, who are calling on us to protect Chaco Canyon. We have heard it already today, but this bill receives the complete support of the Navajo Nation and the All Pueblo Council of Governors, which represents 19 pueblos in New Mexico and 1 in Texas. These Tribal leaders want to see the Chaco landscape protected from oil and gas drilling. They don't want to see cultural sites damaged by pump jacks or to have the pollution of extraction intrude on these sacred sites.…”