The largest Native American reservation in the United States has lost a key legal battle with the Biden administration over its access to a critical waterway.
The Navajo Nation had argued that the federal government is legally obligated to address the tribe’s water needs from the drought-stricken Colorado River, which serves about 40 million people in the arid Southwest US.
According to the tribe, an 1868 treaty promised them sufficient land and water to establish a “permanent home” after being confined to a reservation. Nowadays, however, many Navajo residents survive on just a fraction of the water used by the average American citizen, and about one-third of the 175,000 reservation residents lack access to running water.
In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) concluded that the treaty “does not require the United States to take those affirmative steps,” as conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh explained in a statement...
The vote comes after a federal appeals court initially sided with the Navajo, a ruling that four states – along with major water users in California and Arizona – had prompted the Supreme Court to review. Last week’s vote in the Arizona v. Navajo Nation case effectively reverses that ruling.
The disagreement/"battle" was between the Navajo nation and the Federal Government.
The Navajo Nation had argued that the federal government is legally obligated to address the tribe’s water needs from the drought-stricken Colorado River
The Supreme Court was the body that was was making a judgement about which of the two sides was right.
So, "Biden administration" in this context refers to the Federal Government, not to the Supreme Court.
Navajo Nation has been fighting this particular battle against every sitting US government for tye past 20 years. Is the Biden administration one of those sitting governments or not?
I am Jack's complete lack of surprise. The only thing more American than school shootings is ignoring treaties when it suits us, especially if Native Americans are involved.