Press Releases
Gallego Cosponsors Legislation to Restore National Park and Forest Service Staffing, Protect Public Lands
Federal funding cuts have led to significant staffing reductions at national parks, including the Grand Canyon in Arizona WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) cosponsored two bills to address the consequences of recent federal staff cuts at the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The Protect Our Parks Act of 2025 and the Save Our Forests Act of 2025 will fully restore staffing levels at both agencies, ensuring that America’s national parks and forests remain accessible, safe, and well-maintained. The bills were introduced by fellow Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and cosponsored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). The
Gallego, Kelly Introduce Bill to Expand Economic Opportunity in La Paz County
Bill will enable La Paz County to create hundreds of jobs and power thousands of homes WASHINGTON – Today, Arizona Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kellyintroduced the La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act, legislation to allow La Paz County, Arizona to purchase 3,400 acres of certain federal lands to further its economic development and optimize the generation of additional solar energy. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Arizona Representatives Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, and David Schweikert. Under a previous land transfer, La Paz County made remarkable progress in creating a large solar park adjacent to the Ten West Link transmission project through central Arizona. Today’s
Gallego Co-Leads Reintroduction of Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Ratify and Fund Historic Navajo Tribes Water Rights Settlement
WASHINGTON – Today, Arizona Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly, alongside Representatives Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), David Schweikert (R-AZ-01), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07), and Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03) introduced the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act (NAIWRSA) of 2025. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation ratifies and funds the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement, resolving one of Arizona’s longest-running water disputes by securing water rights for the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. The settlement will provide reliable and safe water for these communities, allowing the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe to lease a portion of