{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases/nm-delegation-announces-water-rights-bill-zuni-tribe", "N.M. Delegation Announces Water Rights Bill for Zuni Tribe", "2024-07-23", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Gabe Vasquez", "V000136", "vasquez.house.gov", "vasquez", "https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) and U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act, during a hearing in the House Natural Resources Committee. U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Teresa Leger-Fernandez (D-N.M.) co-sponsored the legislation.\n\nWATCH: Vasquez and Governor Kucate Testify at House Natural Resources Committee\n\nThe bicameral Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act authorizes $685 million in federal funding to support a trust for sustainable water management and infrastructure development that upholds the federal government\u2019s trust responsibility while protecting the sacred Zuni Salt Lake. The bill ratifies the settlement between the Federal Government, State of New Mexico and Zuni Tribe that affirms their water rights for irrigation, livestock, storage, and domestic and other uses.\n\n\u201cI will always advocate for our Tribal communities in Congress. I\u2019m proud to work with the delegation on this settlement to provide essential resources to support the Zuni\u2019s water infrastructure, protect Zuni Salt Lake and uphold their sovereignty. This bill is a meaningful step toward honoring our commitments to Zuni Tribe and ensuring all New Mexicans have access to safe water,\u201d said Congressman Vasquez. \u201cThis settlement helps resolve long-standing water rights issues and provides Zuni Tribe with the resources necessary for vital water infrastructure projects for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cBy approving this negotiated water settlement, we can finally unlock critical water infrastructure funding and resources that will allow the Zuni Tribe to access and use the water they own,\u201d said Senator Heinrich. \u201cI am committed to finding a path forward for this legislation and the other Tribal water settlement bills that I am leading this Congress. Especially as we confront the impacts of climate change on our water supplies, these water settlements are absolutely essential to deliver long-term water security to Tribes and all of our communities in New Mexico.\u201d\n\nToday, Vasquez and Governor Arden Kucate of Zuni Tribe testified at a hearing in the House Natural Resources Committee to advocate for the immediate passage of the bill to ensure safe water and sovereignty for the Tribe.\n\n\u201cThe Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act would help us restore our river, provide for our people, and build the necessary infrastructure for our future,\u201d said Governor Kucate. \u201cWe greatly appreciate Congressman Vasquez for his commitment to Zuni and work to introduce this legislation that will not only permanently restore our water rights, but also protect the Zuni Salt Lake and our sacred lands.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to stand with the New Mexico Delegation in championing the Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act. This bill represents a significant advancement toward securing safe drinking water for Zuni Pueblo and upholding Tribal sovereignty,\u201d said Senator Luj\u00e1n, member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. \u201cI am committed to ensuring access to clean water and honoring Tribal sovereignty in Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cWater is life in New Mexico, and the Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act will ensure everyone has access to critical water resources,\u201d said Congresswoman Stansbury. \u201cThe $685 million in federal funding will protect the Zuni Salt Lake and ensure support for sustainable water practices. This bill is one more step in our recommitment to the promises and treaties between the United States and Tribal Nations. I am proud to support it.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn New Mexico, we say agua es vida\u2014water is life. But water is also key to tribal sovereignty. As an original co-sponsor of this settlement, which provides $685 million to support the Zuni\u2019s water infrastructure, protects Zuni Salt Lake and upholds their sovereignty, I am working to secure Zuni Pueblo\u2019s water rights and infrastructure alongside my New Mexico Delegation colleagues,\u201d said Congresswoman Leger Fern\u00e1ndez.\n\nThe hearing also featured the Rio San Jos\u00e9 and Rio Jemez Water Settlements Act of 2023 which would codify the settlements for the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, Jemez, and Zia. Governor Randall Vicente of the Pueblo of Acoma provided testimony on the Tribe\u2019s behalf.\n\nThe New Mexico Delegation is proud to advocate for Indian Country.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases/nm-delegation-announces-water-rights-bill-zuni-tribe"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7151779718697071, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}