Senator James Abourezk visited 11 pueblos in New Mexico to gather information on housing needs and legislation. He proposed creating a new national Indian housing authority to streamline the process of obtaining housing grants. Abourezk also discussed the incidents at Pine Ridge, but avoided getting involved in water rights issues. Other speakers at a housing hearing highlighted the challenges and delays in the Indian housing program, including red tape and bureaucracy. Senator Dewey Bartlett called the hearing successful but acknowledged that there was more to learn and improve.