Us Congress Senate Bill SR355

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/21/23
• Refer: 9/21/23

Caption

A resolution recognizing the critical importance of access to reliable, clean drinking water for Native Americans and affirming the responsibility of the Federal Government to ensure such water access.

Note

Overall, SR355 represents a significant step toward addressing long-standing inequities in water access for Native communities, fostering hope for improved public health outcomes and economic stability for these historically marginalized populations.

Impact

The resolution aims to mobilize federal resources and support to improve water access in Native communities, particularly on reservations and in Alaska Native villages and Native Hawaiian communities. It emphasizes that reliable water access is key to public health and is linked to the broader federal trust responsibility towards Native tribes. This vow to prioritize water infrastructure could potentially lead to increased funding and technical support for sustainable water systems in these underfunded areas.

Summary

SR355 is a resolution acknowledging the essential need for reliable, clean drinking water in Native American communities and reaffirming the federal government's responsibility to ensure this access. The resolution outlines that access to clean water is not only a basic human need but also critical for the health and economic well-being of these communities. It addresses ongoing issues within these populations related to inadequate infrastructure and public health resources, which have historically been overlooked.

Contention

The resolution also discusses the complications arising from unresolved water rights claims among tribal communities, highlighting that these claims should not hinder access to clean water. Critics may argue that without addressing these water rights first, efforts to provide infrastructure will face challenges. Furthermore, the complexity of tribal water rights and past inequities raise questions about how effectively the federal government can implement its commitments without first securing clearer legal standings.