New Mexico Delegation Urges Congress to Complete Tribal Water Settlements

New Mexico's congressional delegation, led by Democrats including Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján and Reps. Teresa Leger Fernández, Melanie Stansbury, and Gabe Vasquez, is urging House and Senate leaders to pass key tribal water rights settlement acts. These measures, part of a broader bipartisan effort including Montana Republicans, aim to resolve longstanding water disputes involving the Navajo Nation, Pueblo tribes, and others, providing permanent access to clean water and avoiding costly, protracted litigation. Central to the efforts is the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments Act, which would provide crucial funding to complete a $2 billion infrastructure project to deliver water to underserved communities. The lawmakers emphasize that without congressional action, tribal water rights would likely be settled through decades of expensive court battles, increasing costs to taxpayers. They also propose extending Customs User Fees to help offset new spending, potentially saving billions. Despite passing committee stages and receiving hearings, the bills have yet to receive broader legislative priority, with some concern about current administration funding proposals.