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Rep. Leger Fernández Secures Key Wins for Tribes, Water Projects, Apprenticeships, Chaco Canyon, in Appropriations Bills

Press Release

Date: July 20, 2021
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Unemployed and Low-Income Employment and Affirmative Action Indigenous Peoples Entitlements and the Safety Net Guns Higher Education K-12 Education Health and Health Care Natural Resources

WASHINGTON -- Today,Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández announced she secured key policy provisions in appropriations legislation to help Tribal communities, expand the clean energy workforce, protect Chaco Canyon, fund rural water programs, protect students from lunch shaming, address access to firearms as a means to prevent suicides, and more.

"The inclusion of my provisions show that my district's priorities are shared across our nation. I am committed to protecting our land, our communities, and our precious resources and look forward to seeing these policies enacted," said Leger Fernández.

Some of the Key priorities Leger Fernández secured include:

Chaco Canyon

Preventing funds from being used to lease or nominate land within the 10-mile buffer area around Chaco Canyon until a tribal resource study is complete.
Providing an additional $600,000 to ongoing Tribal cultural resources studies in the Chaco Canyon area.

Water Projects

$7.79 million in funding for the Eastern NM Rural Water Supply System.
Increased funding for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for irrigation operations and maintenance.

Clean Energy Workforce

Expanding clean energy apprenticeships and encouraging the Department of Labor to accelerate efforts to support programs in regions anticipating a loss in fossil fuel industry jobs.

Tribal Communities

$15 million for Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions to continue providing career and technical education for Native American students.

Rural Health

$10 million for the Office of Rural Health to address substance use disorders in rural communities, including opioid abuse.

Suicide Prevention

Encouraging the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to focus on suicide prevention policies that limit access to firearms.

Education & Schools

Increase the maximum Federal Pell Grant to $6,895, $400 above FY2021 appropriation.
Discouraging schools participating in National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program from shaming, discriminating against, publicly embarrassing, or stigmatizing a child who cannot pay for a school meal or has outstanding debt.


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