Washington, D.C. (January 10, 2018) Congressman Steve Pearce released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 140, to amend the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010, which included the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2017 and legislation to allow the Pueblo of Santa Clara and the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo to lease all of their lands:

“When the National Labor Relations Board reversed their longstanding status of recognizing the sovereignty of tribal governments, they did so without warning and without precedent. This made things very difficult for tribes in New Mexico to grow their business and achieve success for themselves and their families. These are some of the most impoverished areas who are trying to develop their economies and keep tribal members on reservation. As sovereign entities, tribes must be respected as such. This bill takes a step forward towards a resolution for long-term prosperity. Native American tribes across the country deserve to have access to the American dream, without federal government inserting unnecessary bureaucracy.”

Click on the image below or here to watch Rep. Pearce speak in support of this bill on the House Floor.