Our nation is home to a vast diversity of tribes, and federal policy should reflect that diversity.

It is crucial that any such proposal be entirely optional to Indian tribes, and to determine whether they wish to participate in such an initiative.

I think that, you know, when that is going well, I think BIA deserves credit for making that a priority.

I introduced the HEARTH Act after meeting with several housing directors from New Mexico's Pueblos, where I learned about the owner's process for securing a long-term lease on Indian Trust land.

I think that really gets to the heart of why this issue is important.

In speaking with tribal housing officials from across New Mexico, one concern that they shared with me is that families are having to move off reservations if they want to buy a home because of the difficulty of the process.

If you enter into trying to establish a mortgage for a house, and you can secure financing that is, you know 5 percent or 5.5, and by the time everything has its I's dotted and its T's crossed mortgages are 8.25 percent, that is…

Families shouldn't be forced to make such an important decision based on how many months or years it will take the Federal bureaucracy to approve a mortgage on tribal land.

I would just remind you that we have a certain decorum here, and I would ask that you not refer to any Member of this Committee in the future as a lackey.

I believe the Agency is actually allowed to maintain those facilities with the least intrusive tool.

we would respectfully request that you maintain within the new office a separate and adequately sized staff dedicated solely to reviewing and processing renewable energy applications.

We would also suggest including legislation along the lines of H.R. 2662, introduced by Rep. Heinrich, to dedicate a portion of the fees paid by renewable energy developers back to Interior.

A better solution would be to bring wind and solar funding in line with other activities on BLM land.

What exactly is the Federal trust responsibility to the tribes regarding water?

I want to commend the local, state, and Pueblo governments for all their dedication to finding a solution that meets each community's needs.

These bills are an example of how we can manage this precious resource without pitting towns against farms, and farms against tribes.

These bills before the Subcommittee today are the result of years of hard work; respectively, 40 and 43 years.

The Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act would settle an even older water rights lawsuit--in fact, this is the oldest active case in the federal court system.

water is the lifeblood of our communities. Whether you live in downtown Albuquerque or on a ranch or in a pueblo, every New Mexican depends on their community's right to clean, reliable water.

The Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act would settle a lawsuit nearly 40 years old and adjudicate water rights for Taos Pueblo, the State of New Mexico, and many non-Indian water users and acequia associations.

I thank Chairwoman Napolitano, Ranking Member McClintock, members of the Subcommittee on Water and Power...

I would echo your comments, both in terms of the appropriate use of eminent domain.

I actually have a slightly more pro-nuclear approach than many of my Democratic colleagues.

It is easy to paint a broad brush when we are talking about energy independence.

I do not think there is any general question, even among the medical community in New Mexico, that there have been impacts from former activity.