Wááshindoon Weekly

November 23, 2024

Legislative Activity



S. 465 - BADGES for Native Communities Act, sponsored by Senator Cortez Masto (D-NV)

Placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 559 (11/18/24)

S. 2783 - Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act, sponsored by Senator Rubio (R-FL)

Placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 560 (11/18/24)

S. 2908 - Indian Buffalo Management Act, sponsored by Senator Heinrich (D-NM)

Placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 561 (11/18/24)

S. 3857 - Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act, sponsored by Senator Padilla

Placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 562 (11/18/24)

S. 4365 - Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act, sponsored by Senator Murkowski (R-AK)

Placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 563 (11/18/24)

S. 4370 - Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments Act of 2024, sponsored by Senator Murkowski (R-AK)

Placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 574 (11/20/24)

S. 4643 - Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024, sponsored by Senator Heinrich (D-NM)

Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably (11/20/24)

S. 4998 - Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024, sponsored by Senator Heinrich (D-NM)

Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably (11/20/24)

S. 385 - A bill to amend the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to authorize grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, and for other purposes, sponsored by Senator Schatz (D-HI)

Message on Senate action sent to the House (11/21/24)

S. 1322 - Unlocking Native Lands and Opportunities for Commerce and Key Economic Developments Act of 2023, sponsored by Senator Schatz (D-HI)

Message on Senate action sent to the House (11/21/24)

S. 2868 - A bill to accept the request to revoke the charter of incorporation of the Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota at the request of that Community, and for other purposes, sponsored by Senator Smith (D-MN)

Message on Senate action sent to the House (11/21/24)

Upcoming Hearings

No Upcoming Hearings.

News

Senate Passes Schatz Murkowski Resolution Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month

Senator Schatz (D-HI), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Senator Murkowski (R-AK), Vice Chairman of the Committee, led passage of a Senate resolution recognizing November 2024 as National Native American Heritage Month

Schatz Leads Committee Passage of Two Bills, NIGC Chair Nomination

Senator Schatz (D-HI), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, led Committee passage of S. 4643 and S.4998 at a business meeting. Also, the Committee voted to report Patrice Kunesh to serve as the Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission.

Legislative Activity

No New Activity

Upcoming Hearings

No Upcoming Hearings

News

Chair Murray Statement on Disaster Relief Request

Senator Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued a statement on the President's disaster relief funding request.

Senator Murray Opening Remarks at Hearing on Disaster Relief Needs

Senator Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered the opening remarks in a hearing regarding disaster funding needs across the country.

Senator Murray Chairs Hearing on Disaster Funding Needs, Underscores It's Time for Congress to Deliver Relief

Senator Murray (D-WA) chaired a hearing on disaster relief needs across the country and underscored that Congress needs to finalize and pass a bipartisan disaster package before the end of the year

Senator Collins Co-Chairs Hearing on Disaster Relief Supplemental Request

Senator Collins (R-ME), Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, co-chaired a full Committee hearing on the President's disaster relief supplemental funding request for communities affected by recent natural disasters

Legislative Activity

H.R. 2687 - To amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to exclude certain payments to aged, blind, or disabled Alaska Natives or descendants of Alaska Natives from being used to determine eligibility for certain programs, and for other purposes, sponsored by Representative Peltola (D-AK-At Large)

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent (11/20/24)

H.R. 4748 - Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act, sponsored by Representative Peltola (D-AK-At Large)

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent (11/20/24)

H.R. 6489 - Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2023, sponsored by Representative Peltola (D-AK-At Large)

Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent (11/20/24)

H.R. 7516 - Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2024, sponsored by Representative Johnson (R-SD-At Large)

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent (11/20/24)

H.R. 6062 - To restore the ability of the people of American Somoa to approve amendments to the territorial constitution based on majority rule in a democratic act of self-determination, as authorized pursuant to an Act of Congress delegating administration of Federal territorial law in the territory to the President, and to the Secretary of the Interior under Executive Order 10264, dated June 29, 1951, under which the Constitution of American Samoa was approved and may be amended without requirement for further congressional action, subject to the authority of Congress under the Territorial Clause in article IV, section 3, clause 2 of the United States Constitution, sponsored by Delegate Radewagen (R-AS-AT Large)

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 617 (11/21/24)

Upcoming Hearings

No Upcoming Hearings

News

Westerman Holds Historic Roundtable with Tribal Leaders

House Committee on Natural resources Chairman Bruse Westerman (R-AR) hosted a tribal roundtable with representatives of five tries from across the nation to discuss health care, public safety, and economic development issues in Indian Country.

Legislative Activity

H.R. 7687 - NASA SPREES Act, sponsored by Representative Sorensen (D-IL-17)

House Committee on Appropriations Granted extension for further consideration ending not later than December 19, 2024 (11/18/24)

Upcoming Hearings



National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Tuesday, November 19 at 10am, held in 2358-C Rayburn House Offie Building

Investigating the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Wednesday, November 20 at 10am, held in 2007 Rayburn House Office Building

Assessing the Veterans Health Administration FY 2025 Potential Shortfall

Wednesday, November 20 at 10am, held in 2362A Rayburn House Offie Building

News

Securing the Border: Inside the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill

This week's episode with Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman Mark Amodei (R-NV) discusses the core objectives of his FY25 Homeland Security bill.

Members Celebrate "Texas Tough" Kay Granger

Appropriations Chairman Emeritus Kay Granger was celebrated by colleagues and staff for his career on the House Appropriations Committee

Aderholt Remarks at Hearing on the National Institutes of Health

Representative Aderholt (R-AL-4) delivered remarks to open the National Institutes of Health hearing held on November 19, 2024. Read his full statement below.

Cole Remarks at Investigation Hearing on the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Representative Cole (R-OK-4) delivered remarks at the investigative hearing on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Read his full statement below.

Cole Remarks at Oversight Hearing Assessing the Veterans Health Administration FY2025 Potential Shortfall (for the record)

Representative Cole (R-OK-4) gave remarks at the hearing regarding Veterans Health Administration. Read his full statement below.

Carter Remarks at Oversight Hearing Assessing the Veterans Health Administration FY2025 Potential Shortfall

Representative Carter (R-GA-1) gave his remarks at the hearing regarding Veterans Health Administration. Read his full statement below.

Cole, First Native American to Chair House Appropriations: "Data Indicates that Native Women and Girls Experience a Murder Rate 10 Times Higher than the National Average"

The Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies led by by Chairman Mike Simpson (R-ID), held an oversight hearing on the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women.

Subcommittee Slams VA for Repeated Budgeting Failures

The House Appropriations Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the Veterans' Health Administration FY2025 potential shortfall.

Aderholt Remarks at Hearing on the Social Security Administration

Representative Aderholt (R-AL-4) delivered remarks during the hearing for the Social Security Administration held on November 20, 2024. Read his full statement below.

Simpson Remarks at Investigation Hearing on the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Representative Simpson (R-ID-2) gave remarks during the investigation hearing on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women held on November 20, 2024. Read his full statement below.

Simpson: We Must Address the Ongoing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Crisis

The Interior and Environment Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women. To bring attention to the crisis, Subcommittee Chairman Simpson (R-ID-2) wrote an op-ed for the Washington Reporter, noting that indigenous women and girls are murdered at a disproportional rate.