[Senate Prints 112-50]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
112th Congress COMMITTEE PRINT S. Prt.
112-50
_______________________________________________________________________
HISTORY, JURISDICTION, AND SUMMARY
OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
OF THE
UNITED STATES SENATE
COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS
DURING THE
ONE HUNDRED TWELFTH CONGRESS
2011-2012
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Printed for the use of the Committee on Indian Affairs
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COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS
DANIEL K. AKAKA, Hawaii, Chairman
JOHN BARRASSO, Wyoming, Vice Chairman
DANIEL K. INOUYE, Hawaii JOHN McCAIN, Arizona
KENT CONRAD, North Dakota LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska
TIM JOHNSON, South Dakota JOHN HOEVEN, North Dakota
MARIA CANTWELL, Washington MIKE CRAPO, Idaho
JON TESTER, Montana MIKE JOHANNS, Nebraska
TOM UDALL, New Mexico
AL FRANKEN, Minnesota
Loretta A. Tuell, Majority Staff Director and Chief Counsel
David A. Mullon Jr., Minority Staff Director and Chief Counsel
I. HISTORY AND JURISDICTION
A. Summary. In 1977, the Senate re established the
Committee on Indian Affairs, making it a temporary select
committee (S. Res. 4, 105, 95th Congress, 1st Sess. (1977), as
amended). The Select Committee on Indian Affairs was to disband
at the close of the 95th Congress, but following several term
extensions, the Senate voted to make the Committee permanent on
June 6, 1984. The Committee has jurisdiction to study the
unique problems of American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska
Native peoples and to propose legislation to alleviate these
problems. These issues include, but are not limited to, Indian
education, economic development, land management, trust
responsibilities, health care, and claims against the United
States. Additionally, all legislation proposed by Members of
the Senate specifically pertaining to American Indians, Native
Hawaiians, or Alaska Natives is under the jurisdiction of the
Committee.
B. History. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs had been
in existence since the early 19th century, until 1946, when a
legislative reorganization act abolished both the House and
Senate Committees on Indian Affairs. After 1946, Indian affairs
legislative and oversight jurisdiction was vested in
subcommittees of the Interior and Insular Affairs Committees of
the House of Representatives and the Senate. While this
subcommittee arrangement may not have specifically reflected a
diminishment of the consideration given Indian affairs by
Congress, the revised arrangement coincided historically with
the ``Termination Era''--a period in which the prevailing
policy of the United States was to terminate the Federal
relationship with Indian tribes and to transfer jurisdiction
over tribal lands to the states.
By the mid 1960s, the Termination Era philosophy was in
decline as a failed policy, and Congress began to include
Indian tribes in legislation designed to rebuild the social
infrastructure of the Nation and provide economic opportunities
for economically depressed areas. In the early 1970s, the
Termination era was decisively ended with the enactment of the
Menominee Restoration Act of 1973. Although a number of
important legislative initiatives affecting Indians were
enacted in the early 1970s, it became clear that the existing
subcommittee structure was not providing an adequate forum for
legislating appropriate solutions to problems confronting
Indian country. Legislative jurisdiction over Indian affairs
was fragmented among a number of committees. Overall, more than
10 committees in Congress were responsible for Indian affairs,
a situation which resulted in a sometimes disjointed treatment
of Indian affairs and in an often haphazard development of
Federal Indian policy.
C. Re Establishment of Committee. In 1973, Senator James
Abourezk introduced Senate Joint Resolution No. 133 to
establish a Federal commission to review all aspects of policy,
law, and administration relating to affairs of the United
States with American Indian tribes and people. The Senate and
the House of Representatives both adopted S.J. Res. 133, and on
January 2, 1975, the Resolution was signed into law (see Pub.
L. No. 93-580) by the President, thus establishing the American
Indian Policy Review Commission (Commission). As the work of
this Commission progressed, it became apparent that a Senate
committee with full legislative and oversight authority was
needed to receive the report of the Commission and to act upon
its recommendations. Indeed, one of the final recommendations
of the Commission was that a full fledged Indian Affairs
Committee be established in the Senate.
At the same time the Commission was formulating its
recommendation for the establishment of an Indian Affairs
Committee, the Senate was developing a far reaching proposal
for reorganization of the entire Senate committee system. Under
this proposal, the Subcommittee on Indian Affairs under the
Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs was to be abolished
with its natural resource functions to be distributed among
other newly formed Senate committees and its human resources
functions to be transferred to the Senate Committee on Labor
and Human Resources.
In view of the pending report of the Commission and its
anticipated recommendations, however, the Senate revamped its
committee reorganization proposal to include the establishment
of a temporary select committee to receive the Commission's
report and to act on its recommendations. Thus, there was
included within Senate Resolution 4 of February 4, 1977, the
Committee System Reorganization Amendments of 1977, a provision
to establish a Select Committee on Indian Affairs with full
jurisdiction over all proposed legislation and other matters
relating to Indian affairs. With the commencement of the 96th
Congress, the Select Committee on Indian Affairs was to expire
and jurisdiction over Indian matters was to be transferred to
the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
As the Select Committee on Indian Affairs grappled with the
report of the Commission and the many other Indian issues that
were presented to it during the 95th Congress, it became
increasingly evident that in order for Congress to continue to
meet its constitutional, legal, and historical responsibilities
in the area of Indian affairs, an ongoing legislative committee
with adequate expertise and resources should be re established
in the Senate.
Senate Resolution 405, to make the Select Committee on
Indian Affairs a permanent committee of the Senate, was
introduced by Senator Abourezk on February 22, 1978. The
measure was amended by the Senate Committee on Rules and
Administration to extend the life of the committee for two
years until January 2, 1981, and was agreed to, as amended, by
the Senate on October 14, 1978. In the 96th Congress, Senator
John Melcher, who was at the time Chairman of the Select
Committee on Indian Affairs, introduced Senate Resolution 448
to make it a permanent committee. The Resolution had 28
cosponsors, and was reported by the Committee on Rules and
Administration with an amendment to extend the Select Committee
to January 2, 1984, and to expand the membership to seven
members commencing in the 97th Congress. Senate Resolution 448
was adopted by the Senate on December 11, 1980.
D. Permanent Committee. On April 28, 1983, Senator Mark
Andrews, Chairman of the Select Committee on Indian Affairs in
the 98th Congress, introduced Senate Resolution 127 to make the
Committee a permanent committee. This Resolution had 28
cosponsors. On November 1, 1983, the Senate Committee on Rules
and Administration voted unanimously to report the Resolution
without amendment, and the Resolution was so reported on
November 2, 1983 (S. Rept. 98 294). On November 18, 1983, the
last day of the first session of the 98th Congress, the Senate
agreed to an extension of the Select Committee to July 1, 1984,
in order to allow time for debate. By the time Senate
Resolution 127 was brought to the floor for consideration there
were 60 cosponsors. On June 4, 1984, the Select Committee on
Indian Affairs was made a permanent committee of the Senate (S.
Res. 127, 98th Cong., 2nd Sess.). In 1993, the Select Committee
on Indian Affairs was re-designated as the Committee on Indian
Affairs ( 25, S. Res. 71, 103rd Cong., 1st Sess.).
E. Committee Membership. The number of members serving on
the Committee has expanded since its formation in 1977. At the
time the Committee was formed in the 95th Congress, there were
five members. The membership remained at five in the 96th
Congress, but grew to seven in the 97th Congress. The
membership increased to nine in the 99th Congress, and by the
101st Congress, the Committee membership grew to 10. In the
102nd Congress, the membership of the Committee expanded to 16
members. A further increase occurred in the beginning of the
103rd Congress when the membership was expanded to 18. In the
104th Congress, the Senate only named 17 of its members to
serve on the Committee, and elected Senator John McCain as
Chairman and Senator Daniel K. Inouye as Vice Chairman. The
Senate further amended the membership of the Committee to 16
later in the 104th Congress.
In the 104th Congress, the Senate agreed to amend again the
membership of the Committee from 16 to 14 members. In the 107th
Congress, the Senate appointed 15 members to the Committee. In
May, 2001 Senator Jim Jeffords left the Republican Party to
become an Independent. At that time Senator Ben Nighthorse
Campbell relinquished the Chairmanship to become Vice Chairman
of the Committee and Senator Inouye became Chairman. In the
108th Congress, Senator Campbell re-assumed the Chairmanship
and Senator Inouye served as Vice Chairman with 14 members on
the Committee. In the 109th Congress, Senator McCain served as
Chairman and Senator Byron L. Dorgan became Vice Chairman. In
the 110th Congress, Senator Byron L. Dorgan became Chairman of
the Committee and Senator Craig Thomas became Vice Chairman.
Senator Thomas passed away on June 4, 2007. Senator Lisa
Murkowski became Vice Chairman of the Committee on July 19,
2007, and served for the remainder of the Congress. Senator
John Barrasso was added to the minority membership of the
Committee to maintain the total membership of 15 for the 110th
Congress. In the 111th Congress, the membership of the
Committee remained at 15 members, Senator Byron L. Dorgan
continued to serve as Chairman of the Committee, and Senator
John Barrasso became Vice Chairman. In the 112th Congress,
Senator Akaka served as Chairman and Senator Barrasso served as
Vice Chairman with 14 members on the Committee.
II. JURISDICTION AND RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS
A. Excerpts from Senate Resolution 4. The Committee System
Reorganization Amendments of 1977 as amended and
revised to reflect membership and designations applicable to the 112th
Congress. The Committee was initially
established as the Select Committee on Indian Affairs.
Section 25 of S. Res. 71, 103rd Congress, 1st Session,
redesignates it as the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Committee on Indian Affairs, to which committee shall be
referred all proposed legislation, messages, petitions,
memorials, and other matters relating to Indian affairs:
SEC. 105(a)(1) There is established a Committee on
Indian Affairs [hereafter in this section referred to
as the ``select committee''] which shall consist of
[15] Members, [9] to be appointed by the President of
the Senate, upon the recommendation of the majority
leader, from among Members of the majority party and
[6] to be appointed by the President of the Senate,
upon recommendation of the minority leader, from among
the Members of the minority party. The committee shall
select a Chairman from among its Members.
(2) A majority of the Members of the Committee shall
constitute a quorum thereof for the transaction of
business, except that the committee may fix a lesser
number as a quorum for the purpose of taking testimony.
The Committee shall adopt rules of procedure not
inconsistent with this section and the rules of the
Senate governing standing committees of the Senate.
(3) Vacancies in the Membership of the committee shall
not affect the authority of the remaining Members to
execute the functions of the Committee.
(4) For purposes of paragraph 6 of rule XXV of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, service of a Senator as a
Member or Chairman of the Committee shall not be taken
into account.
(b)(1) All proposed legislation, messages, petitions,
memorials, and other matters relating to Indian affairs
shall be referred to the Committee.
(2) It shall be the duty of the Committee to conduct a
study of any and all matters pertaining to problems and
opportunities of Indians, including but not limited to,
Indian land management and trust responsibilities,
Indian education, health, special services, and loan
programs, and Indian claims against the United States.
(3) The Committee shall from time to time report to
the Senate, by bill or otherwise within its
jurisdiction.
(c)(1) For the purposes of this resolution, the
committee is authorized, in its discretion, (A) to make
investigations into any matter within its jurisdiction,
(B) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of
the Senate, (C) to employ personnel, (D) to hold
hearings, (E) to sit and act at any time or place
during the sessions, recesses, and adjourned periods of
the Senate, (F) to require, by subpoena or otherwise,
the attendance of witnesses and the production of
correspondence, books, papers, and documents, (G) to
take depositions and other testimony, (H) to procure
the services of individual consultants or organizations
thereof, in accordance with the provisions of section
202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946,
and (I) with the prior consent of the Government
department or agency concerned and the Committee on
Rules and Administration, to use on a reimbursable
basis the services of personnel of any such department
or agency.
(2) The Chairman of the Committee or any Member
thereof may administer oaths to witnesses.
(3) Subpoenas authorized by the Committee may be
issued over the signature of the Chairman, or any
Member of the Committee designated by the Chairman, and
may be served by any person designated by the Chairman
or any Member signing the subpoena.
B. Rules of the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Senate Standing Rule XXVI requires each committee to adopt
rules to govern the procedures of the committee and to publish
those rules in the Congressional Record not later than March 1
of the first year of each Congress. On February 16, 2011, the
Committee on Indian Affairs held a business meeting during
which the Members of the committee unanimously adopted rules to
govern the procedures of the committee. The rules were printed
in the Congressional Record on February 16, 2011. The rules, as
adopted, are as follows:
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS
Rule 1. The Standing Rules of the Senate, Senate Resolution
4, and the provisions of the Legislative Reorganization Act of
1946, as amended by the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970,
to the extent the provisions of such Act are applicable to the
Committee on Indian Affairs and supplemented by these rules,
are adopted as the rules of the Committee.
MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE
Rule 2. The Committee shall meet on Thursday while the
Congress is in session for the purpose of conducting business,
unless for the convenience of the Members, the Chairman shall
set some other day for a meeting. Additional meetings may be
called by the Chairman as he may deem necessary.
OPEN HEARINGS AND MEETINGS
Rule 3(a). Hearings and business meetings of the Committee
shall be open to the public except when the Chairman by a
majority vote orders a closed hearing or meeting.
(b). Except as otherwise provided in the Rules of the
Senate, a transcript or electronic recording shall be kept of
each hearing and business meeting of the Committee.
HEARING PROCEDURE
Rule 4(a). Public notice, including notice to Members of
the Committee, shall be given of the date, place and subject
matter of any hearing to be held by the Committee at least one
week in advance of such hearing unless the Chairman of the
Committee, with the concurrence of the Vice Chairman,
determines that holding the hearing would be non-controversial
or that special circumstances require expedited procedures and
a majority of the Committee Members attending concurs. In no
case shall a hearing be conducted with less than 24 hours
notice.
(b). Each witness who is to appear before the Committee
shall submit his or her testimony by way of electronic mail, at
least 48 hours in advance of a hearing, in a format determined
by the Committee and sent to an electronic mail address
specified by the Committee.
(c). Each Member shall be limited to five (5) minutes of
questioning of any witness until such time as all Members
attending who so desire have had an opportunity to question the
witness unless the Committee shall decide otherwise.
(d). The Chairman and Vice Chairman or the ranking Majority
and Minority Members present at the hearing may each appoint
one Committee staff member to question each witness. Such staff
member may question the witness only after all Members present
have completed their questioning of the witness or at such time
as the Chairman and Vice Chairman or the Ranking Majority and
Minority Members present may agree.
BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
Rule 5(a). A legislative measure or subject shall be
included in the agenda of the next following business meeting
of the Committee if a written request by a Member for
consideration of such measure or subject has been filed with
the Chairman of the Committee at least one week prior to such
meeting. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to limit the
authority of the Chairman of the Committee to include
legislative measures or subjects on the Committee agenda in the
absence of such request.
(b). Any bill, resolution, or other matter to be considered
by the Committee at a business meeting shall be filed with the
Clerk of the Committee. Notice of, and the agenda for, any
business meeting of the Committee, and a copy of any bill,
resolution, or other matter to be considered at the meeting,
shall be provided to each Member and made available to the
public at least three days prior to such meeting, and no new
items may be added after the agenda is published except by the
approval of a majority of the Members of the Committee. The
notice and agenda of any business meeting may be provided to
the Members by electronic mail, provided that a paper copy will
be provided to any Member upon request. The Clerk shall
promptly notify absent Members of any action taken by the
Committee on matters not included in the published agenda.
(c). Any amendment(s) to any bill or resolution to be
considered shall be filed with the Clerk not less than 24 hours
in advance. This rule may be waived by the Chairman with the
concurrence of the Vice Chairman. This rule may be waived by
the Chairman with the concurrence of the Vice Chairman.
QUORUM
Rule 6(a). Except as provided in subsection (b), a majority
of the Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business of the Committee. Except as provided in Senate Rule
XXVI 7(a), a quorum is presumed to be present unless the
absence of a quorum is noted by a Member.
(b). One Member shall constitute a quorum for the purpose
of conducting a hearing or taking testimony on any measure or
matter before the Committee.
VOTING
Rule 7(a). A recorded vote of the Members shall be taken
upon the request of any Member.
(b). A measure may be reported without a recorded vote from
the Committee unless an objection is made by a Member, in which
case a recorded vote by the Members shall be required. A Member
shall have the right to have his or her additional views
included in the Committee report in accordance with Senate Rule
XXVI 10.
(c). A Committee vote to report a measure to the Senate
shall also authorize the staff of the Committee to make
necessary technical and conforming changes to the measure.
(d). Proxy voting shall be permitted on all matters, except
that proxies may not be counted for the purpose of determining
the presence of a quorum. Unless further limited, a proxy shall
be exercised only for the date for which it is given and upon
the terms published in the agenda for that date.
SWORN TESTIMONY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Rule 8(a). Witnesses in Committee hearings may be required
to give testimony under oath whenever the Chairman or Vice
Chairman of the Committee deems it to be necessary.
(b). At any hearing to confirm a Presidential nomination,
the testimony of the nominee, and at the request of any Member,
any other witness shall be under oath. Every nominee shall
submit a financial statement, on forms to be perfected by the
Committee, which shall be sworn to by the nominee as to its
completeness and accuracy. All such statements shall be made
public by the Committee unless the Committee, in executive
session, determines that special circumstances require a full
or partial exception to this rule.
(c). Members of the Committee are urged to make public a
complete disclosure of their financial interests on forms to be
perfected by the Committee in the manner required in the case
of Presidential nominees.
CONFIDENTIAL TESTIMONY
Rule 9. No confidential testimony taken by, or confidential
material presented to the Committee or any report of the
proceedings of a closed Committee hearing or business meeting
shall be made public in whole or in part, or by way of summary,
unless authorized by a majority of the Members of the Committee
at a business meeting called for the purpose of making such a
determination.
DEFAMATORY STATEMENTS
Rule 10. Any person whose name is mentioned or who is
specifically identified in, or who believes that testimony or
other evidence presented at, an open Committee hearing tends to
defame him or her or otherwise adversely affect his or her
reputation may file with the Committee for its consideration
and action a sworn statement of facts relevant to such
testimony of evidence.
BROADCASTING OR HEARINGS OR MEETINGS
Rule 11. Any meeting or hearing by the Committee which is
open to the public may be covered in whole or in part by
television, Internet, radio broadcast, or still photography.
Photographers and reporters using mechanical recording,
filming, or broadcasting devices shall position their equipment
so as not to interfere with the sight, vision, and hearing of
Members and staff on the dais or with the orderly process of
the meeting or hearing.
AUTHORIZING SUBPOENAS
Rule 12. The Chairman may, with the agreement of the Vice
Chairman, or the Committee may, by majority vote, authorize the
issuance of subpoenas.
AMENDING THE RULES
Rule 13. These rules may be amended only by a vote of a
majority of all the Members of the Committee in a business
meeting of the Committee: Provided, that no vote may be taken
on any proposed amendment unless such amendment is reproduced
in full in the Committee agenda for such meeting at least seven
(7) days in advance of such meeting.
III. SUMMARY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR THE 112th CONGRESS
A. Overview. In the 112th Congress, a total of 52 bills and
two resolutions were referred to the Committee on Indian
Affairs for consideration. A total of 25 bills were reported or
discharged by the Committee. Eighteen bills had no further
action and seven bills became public laws. The Committee also
reported the nominations of four Presidential appointees, all
of whom the Senate subsequently confirmed. In addition, the
Committee held a total of 44 hearings, including 36 oversight
hearings. The Committee conducted eight legislative hearings on
18 bills for numerous tribes. Finally, the Committee held 17
roundtables and listening sessions.
Throughout the 112th Congress, the Committee's work focused
on the themes of cultural identity and tribal homelands. Within
these themes, the legislative priorities for the Committee were
S. 675, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of
2011, and S. 676, a bill to amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to
reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take
land into trust for Indian tribes.
Chairman Akaka continued to advocate for parity in Federal
policy for Native Hawaiians in the 112th Congress. Since 2000,
Chairman Akaka worked with the Native Hawaiian community and
many others to develop the Native Hawaiian Government
Reorganization Act. Chairman Akaka sponsored the Native
Hawaiian Government Reorganization legislation in every
Congress since 2000. During the 112th Congress, the Committee
conducted outreach on S. 675 and subsequently streamlined the
legislation.
The Committee also sought to advance the tribal recognition
bills for the Virginia Tribes, the Lumbee Tribe, and the Little
Shell Tribe by reporting these three bills from the Committee.
Following meetings with the Congressional Budget Office (CBO),
the Department of the Interior, and the Indian Health Service,
the Committee determined that the CBO scores for these bills
were inflated and did not accurately reflect the actual outlays
over the five-year period.
Regarding S. 676, the Committee held extensive hearings on
the impacts of the Supreme Court's decision in the case of
Carcieri v. Salazar. In Carcieri v. Salazar, the Court decided
that the Secretary of the Interior did not have the authority
to take land into trust for the Narragansett Tribe under the
Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) because the Tribe was not
``under federal jurisdiction'' in 1934 when the IRA was
enacted. Over the course of several hearings, the Committee
found that the Supreme Court's Carcieri decision ignores dozens
of Federal statutes, threatens public safety and tribal law
enforcement, creates unequal treatment of Federally recognized
tribes, is increasing Federal litigation, affects access to
capital, creates barriers to economic development, and is
killing tens of thousands of jobs.
During the 112th Congress, the Committee was also actively
involved in measures affecting American Indians, Alaska
Natives, and Native Hawaiians through hearings, interactions
with other Committees, and floor consideration. One measure
referred to the Committee was included as an amendment with
another legislative item on the floor of the Senate. In
addition, Title VI of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012
contained a one-year reauthorization of the Special Diabetes
Program for Indians. The two bills are as follows:
1. S. 1925, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Reauthorization of 2012, which included S. 1763, Stand
Against Violence and Empower (SAVE) Native Women Act.
2. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. (H.R. 8,
Pub. L. No. 112-240).
B. Legislation Reported or Discharged and Enacted Into Law.
Seven bills referred to the Committee were reported or
discharged by the Committee and signed into law by the
President, including:
1. An Act to amend the Act titled ``An Act to
authorize the leasing of restricted Indian lands for
public, religious, educational, recreational,
residential, business, and other purposes requiring the
grant of long-term leases,'' approved August 9, 1955,
to provide for Indian tribes to enter into certain
leases without prior express approval from the
Secretary of the Interior, and for other purposes.
(H.R. 205, HEARTH Act of 2012, Helping Expedite and
Advance Responsible Tribal Home Ownership Act of 2012,
Pub. L. No. 112-151).
2. To provide for the use and distribution of the
funds awarded to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, et al.,
by the United States Court of Federal Claims in Docket
Numbers 19 and 188, and for other purposes. (H.R. 1272,
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Judgment Fund Distribution Act
of 2012, Pub. L. No. 112-179).
3. To amend the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama and
Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act to
allow the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribe to determine
blood quantum requirement for membership in that tribe.
(H.R. 1560, Pub. L. No. 112-157).
4. To take certain Federal lands in Mono County,
California, into trust for the benefit of the
Bridgeport Indian Colony. (H.R. 2467, Bridgeport Indian
Colony Land Trust, Health, and Economic Development Act
of 2012, Pub. L. No. 112-212).
5. To allow the Pascua Yaqui Tribe to determine the
requirements for membership in that tribe. (H.R. 3319,
Pub. L. No. 112-214).
6. Barona Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer
Clarification Act of 2012. A bill to make technical
corrections to the legal description of certain land to
be held in trust for the Barona Band of Mission
Indians, and for other purposes. (S. 3193, Pub. L. No.
112-232).
7. To provide for the conveyance of certain property
from the United States to the Maniilaq Association
located in Kotzebue, Alaska. (H.R. 443, Pub. L. No:
112-262).
C. Legislation Reported or Discharged Not Requiring
Presidential Action. Two of the resolutions within the
jurisdiction of the Committee were reported or discharged and
passed by the Senate and did not require presidential action:
1. A resolution recognizing National Native American
Heritage Month and celebrating the heritages and
cultures of Native Americans and the contributions of
Native Americans to the United States. (S. Res. 329).
2. A resolution recognizing National Native American
Heritage Month and celebrating the heritages and
cultures of Native Americans and the contributions of
Native Americans to the United States. (S. Res. 561).
D. Legislation Reported by the Committee. The legislative
action of the Committee was conducted through nine business
meetings to mark-up and report bills pending before the
Committee. Eighteen bills referred to the Committee were
reported by the Committee during the 112th Congress but were
not enacted into law:
1. A bill to reauthorize the programs of the
Department of Housing and Urban Development for housing
assistance for Native Hawaiians. (S. 65, Hawaiian
Homeownership Opportunity Act of 2011).
2. A bill to authorize the Mescalero Apache Tribe to
lease adjudicated water rights. (S. 134, Mescalero
Apache Tribe Leasing Authorization Act).
3. A bill to extend Federal recognition to the
Chickahominy Indian Tribe, the Chickahominy Indian
Tribe-Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the
Rappahannock Tribe, Inc., the Monacan Indian Nation,
and the Nansemond Indian Tribe. (S. 379, Indian Tribes
of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2011).
4. A bill to extend the Federal recognition to the
Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana, and
for other purposes. (S. 546, Little Shell Tribe of
Chippewa Indians Restoration Act of 2011).
5. A bill to provide the Quileute Indian Tribe Tsunami
and Flood Protection, and for other purposes. (S. 636).
6. A bill to express the policy of the United States
regarding the United States relationship with Native
Hawaiians and to provide a process for the recognition
by the United States of the Native Hawaiian governing
entity. (S. 675, Native Hawaiian Government
Reorganization Act of 2012).
7. A bill to amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to
reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior
to take land into trust for Indian tribes. (S. 676,
``Carcieri-fix'').
8. A bill to amend the Long-Term Leasing Act, and for
other purposes. (S. 703, HEARTH Act of 2011, Helping
Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership
Act of 2011).
9. A bill to settle land claims within the Fort Hall
Reservation. (S. 1065, Blackfoot River Land Settlement
Act of 2011).
10. A bill to provide for the recognition of the
Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, and for other purposes.
(S. 1218, Lumbee Recognition Act).
11. A bill to improve Indian education, and for other
purposes. (S. 1262, Native Culture, Language, and
Access for Success in Schools (CLASS) Act).
12. A bill to amend the Indian Tribal Energy
Development and Self-Determination Act of 2005, and for
other purposes. (S. 1684, Indian Tribal Energy
Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments of
2011).
13. A bill to decrease the incidence of violent crimes
against Indian women, to strengthen the capacity of
Indian tribes to exercise the sovereign authority of
Indian tribes to respond to violent crimes committed
against Indian women, and to ensure that perpetrators
of violent crimes committed against Indian women are
held accountable for that criminal behavior, and for
other purposes. (S. 1763, Stand Against Violence and
Empower (SAVE) Native Women Act).
14. A bill to make technical amendment to the T'uf
Shur Bien Preservation Trust Area Act, and for other
purposes. (S. 2024, Sandia Pueblo Settlement Technical
Amendment Act).
15. A bill to amend the Indian Law Enforcement Reform
Act to extend the period of time provided to the Indian
Law and Order Commission to produce a required report,
and for other purposes. (S. 2090).
16. A bill to deem the submission of certain claims to
an Indian Health Service contracting officer as timely.
(S. 2389).
17. A bill to amend the Native American Programs Act
of 1974 to reauthorize a provision to ensure the
survival and continuing vitality of Native American
languages. (S. 3546).
18. A bill to clarify certain provisions of the Native
American Veterans' Memorial Establishment Act of 1994.
(S. 3548, Native American Veterans' Memorial Amendments
Act of 2012).
E. Legislation Given Active Consideration. The Committee
gave active consideration to a variety of bills in the 112th
Congress. The Committee held eight legislative hearings on 18
bills addressing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the
Native Culture, Language and Access for Success in Schools
(CLASS) Act, tribal leasing reform, tribal energy development,
tribal membership, Federal acknowledgment, trust funds, and
land transfers. The Committee also held hearings on bills
affecting specific tribes, including the Quileute Nation,
Mescalero Apache Tribe, Blackfeet Nation, Navajo Nation, Little
Shell Tribe, Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe,
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Confederated Tribes of
Grand Ronde, and Lytton Rancheria.
F. Legislation not Reported out of Committee. One bill was
ordered to be reported during the 112th Congress but was not
reported or enacted into law:
1. A bill to provide for equitable compensation to the
Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation for
the use of tribal land for the production of hydropower
by the Grand Coulee Dam, and for other purposes. (S.
1345, Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane
Reservation Grand Coulee Dam Equitable Compensation
Settlement Act).
G. Legislation Referred to the Committee. Twenty-three
bills referred to the Committee during the 112th Congress were
not reported or enacted into law:
1. To amend the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act to
allow certain land to be used to generate income to
provide funding for academic programs, and for other
purposes. (H.R. 1556).
2. To prohibit certain gaming activities on certain
Indian lands in Arizona. (H.R. 2938, Gila Bend Indian
Reservation Lands Replacement Clarification Act).
3. A bill to establish a Native American Economic
Advisory Council, and for other purposes. (S. 61,
Native American Economic Advisory Council Act of 2011).
4. A bill to amend the Native Hawaiian Health Care
Improvement Act to revise and extend that Act. (S. 66,
Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization
Act of 2011).
5. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to
provide for health data regarding Native Hawaiians and
other Pacific Islanders. (S. 71, Native Hawaiian and
Other Pacific Islander Health Data Act of 2011).
6. A bill to amend the Grand Ronde Reservation Act to
make technical corrections, and for other purposes. (S.
356).
7. A bill to modify the purposes and operation of
certain facilities of the Bureau of Reclamation to
implement the water rights compact among the State of
Montana, the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian
Reservation of Montana, and the United States, and for
other purposes. (S. 399, Blackfeet Water Rights
Settlement Act of 2011).
8. A bill to amend the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to
modify a provision relating to gaming on land acquired
after October 17, 1988. (S. 771, Tribal Gaming
Eligibility Act).
9. A bill to amend the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act
to modify the date as of which certain tribal land of
the Lytton Rancheria of California is considered to be
held in trust and to provide for the conduct of certain
activities on the land. (S. 872).
10. A bill to extend Federal recognition to the
Muscogee Nation of Florida. (S. 880, Muscogee Nation of
Florida Federal Recognition Act).
11. A bill to provide for the addition of certain real
property to the reservation of the Siletz Tribe in the
State of Oregon. (S. 908).
12. A bill to supplement State jurisdiction in Alaska
Native villages with Federal and tribal resources to
improve the quality of life in rural Alaska while
reducing domestic violence against Native women and
children and to reduce alcohol and drug abuse and for
other purposes. (S. 1192, Alaska Safe Families and
Villages Act of 2011).
13. A bill to direct the Secretary of Commerce to
establish a demonstration program to adapt the lessons
of providing foreign aid to underdeveloped economies to
the provision of Federal economic development
assistance to certain similarly situated individuals,
and for other purposes. (S. 1293, Native American
Challenge Demonstration Project Act of 2011).
14. A bill to provide for the conveyance of certain
property located in Anchorage, Alaska, from the United
States to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.
(S. 1298, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Land
Transfer Act).
15. A bill to amend the Act of March 1, 1933, to
transfer certain authority and resources to the Utah
Dineh Corporation, and for other purposes. (S. 1327).
16. A bill to clarify the responsibilities of the
Secretary of the Interior in making a determination
whether to take off-reservation land into trust for
gaming purposes. (S. 1424, Off-Reservation Land
Acquisition Guidance Act).
17. A bill to strengthen Indian education, and for
other purposes. (S. 1519, Building upon Unique Indian
Learning and Development Act).
18. A bill to provide for the conveyance of certain
property from the United States to the Maniilaq
Association located in Kotzebue, Alaska. (S. 1898).
19. A bill to provide for the use and distribution of
judgment funds awarded to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe
by the United States Court of Federal Claims in Docket
Numbers 19 and 188, and for other purposes. (S. 1739,
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Judgment Fund Distribution Act
of 2011).
20. A bill to approve the settlement of water rights
claims of the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the
allottees of the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe in the
State of Arizona, to authorize construction of
municipal water projects relating to the water rights
claims, to resolve litigation against the United States
concerning Colorado River operations affecting the
States of California, Arizona, and Nevada, and for
other purposes. (S. 2109, Navajo-Hopi Little Colorado
River Water Rights Settlement Act of 2012).
21. A bill to provide for the settlement of the water
rights claims of the Fort Belknap Indian Community, and
for other purposes. (S. 3209, Gros Ventre and
Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community
Water Rights Settlement Act of 2012).
22. A bill to help fulfill the Federal mandate to
provide higher educational opportunities for Native
Americans. (S. 3504, Native American Indian Education
Act of 2012).
23. A bill to create equal footing for tribal economic
development. (S. 3654).
G. Oversight activity. A substantial portion of the
Committee's hearing and investigatory energy was devoted to
carrying out its authority and responsibility to provide
oversight of the executive branch's implementation of Federal
Indian law and policy, and to investigate all matters
pertaining to Indian affairs.
During the 112th Congress, the Committee held a total of 36
oversight hearings. The oversight hearings touched on a wide
range of issues including emergency preparedness, tribal law
enforcement and public safety, education, Internet
infrastructure, sacred lands, Indian youth suicide, energy
development, economic development, Federal recognition, gaming,
Internet gaming, stereotypes and identity, taxation, the Indian
Reorganization Act, climate change, Native veterans,
telecommunications, probate reform, tribal transportation, job
creation, and self-determination.
In the area of gaming, the Committee held numerous
oversight hearings on the regulation of the Indian Gaming
Regulatory Act and the future of Internet gaming. As
discussions about various Internet gaming proposals ensued, the
Committee sought to ensure that tribal nations were a part of
the dialogue by examining the potential impacts Internet gaming
may have on tribal nations.
Five field hearings were held on issues such as youth
suicide, empowering tribal youth, tribal irrigation projects,
economic development, and Native Hawaiian homeownership. These
hearings took place in Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, and Wyoming.
The Committee also held two nomination hearings. The first
was for three Presidential nominees for the Institute of
American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development
Board, and the second was for the Assistant Secretary of Indian
Affairs. The Senate confirmed all of these nominations.
In addition, the Committee held 17 roundtables and
listening sessions which were led or moderated by the
Committee's staff director. Each of the roundtables provided
three hours of dialogue between committee staff, administration
officials and representatives, tribal leaders, and interested
parties. Topics included water rights, the environment, Indian
education, Internet gaming, taxation, Federal acknowledgment,
sacred lands, and tribal transportation. The roundtables were
used to identify issues that may need oversight, and
legislative or administrative attention. Many roundtables were
followed up with oversight hearings and others led to the
development of legislation.
Finally, the Committee held five listening sessions on
draft tribal energy legislation and draft Internet gaming
legislation. Listening sessions on the draft Tribal Online
Gaming Act were held at several locations, including the
National Congress of American Indians conference in Sacramento,
the United South and Eastern Tribes conference in Connecticut,
and the National Indian Gaming Association's conference in
Florida. The Committee also held a listening session on the
draft tribal energy bill in Washington, D.C. Comments and ideas
received at the listening sessions were used to strengthen and/
or modify the draft legislation. Approximately 1,000 tribal
leaders, representatives of native organizations, and
interested parties participated in the committee's roundtables
and listening sessions.
IV. COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES
112th Congress, First Session
A. Committee Hearings, Business Meetings, Roundtables, and
Listening Sessions
February 16, 2011--Business Meeting to organize for the
112th Congress by electing the Chairman and Vice Chairman of
the Committee and to adopt the rules of the Committee and any
other organizational business the Committee needs to consider.
March 15, 2011--Oversight Hearing on the President's Fiscal
Year 2012 Budget for Tribal Programs.
April 7, 2011--Business Meeting on S. 675, the Native
Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2011; and S. 676, a
bill to amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to reaffirm the
authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into
trust for Indian tribes.
April 7, 2011--Oversight Hearing on Promise Fulfilled: The
Role of the SBA 8(a) Program in Enhancing Economic Development
in Indian Country.
April 14, 2011--Legislative Hearing on S. 636, A bill to
provide the Quileute Indian Tribe Tsunami and Flood Protection,
and for other purposes; S. 703, the Helping Expedite and
Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act of 2011; and S.
546, the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act
of 2011.
April 19, 2011--Legislative Hearing on S. 1684, the Indian
Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments
of 2012.
April 20, 2011--Oversight Field Hearing on The Wind River
Irrigation Project-Issues Arising From and Contributing to
Deferred Maintenance and Other Project Management Problems.
April 28, 2011--Roundtable on Native Education.
May 5, 2011--Oversight Hearing on Stolen Identities: The
Impact of Racist Stereotypes on Indigenous People.
May 12, 2011--Roundtable on Tribal Transportation.
May 19, 2011--Listening Session on Tribal Energy Draft
Bill.
May 26, 2011--Oversight Hearing on In Our Way: Expanding
the Success of Native Language & Culture-Based Education.
June 9, 2011--Oversight Hearing on Setting the Standard:
Domestic Policy Implications of the UN Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
June 16, 2011--Oversight Hearing on Finding Our Way Home:
Achieving the Policy Goals of NAGPRA.
June 23, 2011--Oversight Hearing on The Indian
Reorganization Act-75 Years Later: Renewing our Commitment to
Restore Tribal Homelands and Promote Self-Determination.
June 28, 2011--Roundtable on Channeling the Discourse:
Examining the Future of Water in Indian Country.
June 30, 2011--Legislative Hearing on S. 1262, the Native
Culture, Language, and Access for Success in Schools (CLASS)
Act.
July 14, 2011--Business Meeting to consider the Institute
of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts
Development Board Nominations.
July 14, 2011--Oversight Hearing on Native Women:
Protecting, Shielding, and Safeguarding Our Sisters, Mothers,
and Daughters.
July 19, 2011--Roundtable on Taxation: Raising Revenues for
our Future.
July 21, 2011--Oversight Hearing on Facing Floods and
Fires: Emergency Preparedness for Natural Disasters in Native
Communities.
July 26, 2011--Roundtable on the Future of Internet Gaming:
What's at Stake for Tribes?
July 28, 2011--Business Meeting on S. 546, A bill to extend
the Federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa
Indians of Montana, and for other purposes; S. 379, A bill to
extend Federal recognition to the Chickahominy Indian Tribe,
the Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Division, the Upper
Mattaponi Tribe, the Rappahannock Tribe, Inc., the Monacan
Indian Nation, and the Nansemond Indian Tribe; S. 1218, A bill
to provide for the recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North
Carolina, and for other purposes; S. 703, A bill to amend the
Long-Term Leasing Act, and for other purposes; and S. 636, A
bill to provide the Quileute Indian Tribe Tsunami and Flood
Protection, and for other purposes.
July 28, 2011--Oversight Hearing on Enforcing the Indian
Gaming Regulatory Act: The Role of the National Indian Gaming
Commission and Tribes as Regulators.
August 4, 2011--Oversight Hearing on The American Indian
Probate Reform Act: Empowering Indian Land Owners.
August 9, 2011--Oversight Field Hearing on Empowering
Native Youth to Reclaim their Future.
August 17, 2011--Oversight Field Hearing on Strengthening
Self-Sufficiency: Overcoming Barriers to Economic Development
in Native Communities.
August 22, 2011--Roundtable on Building a Financial
Foundation: Access to Capital in Native Communities.
September 8, 2011--Roundtable on Building Secure Homelands:
Housing and Infrastructure Development in Native Communities.
September 15, 2011--Oversight Hearing on Tribal
Transportation: Paving the Way for Jobs, Infrastructure, and
Safety in Native Communities.
September 22, 2011--Oversight Hearing on Tribal Law and
Order Act One Year Later: Have We Improved Public Safety and
Justice Throughout Indian Country?
October 6, 2011--Oversight Hearing on Internet
Infrastructure in Native Communities: Equal Access to E-
Commerce, Jobs and the Global Marketplace.
October 13, 2011--Oversight Hearing on the Carcieri Crisis:
The Ripple Effect on Jobs, Economic Development and Public
Safety in Indian Country.
October 20, 2011--Business Meeting to consider S. 1262, the
Native Culture, Language, and Access for Success in Schools
Act.
October 20, 2011--Legislative Hearing on S. 134, Mescalero
Apache Tribe Leasing Authorization Act; S. 399, Blackfeet Water
Rights Settlement Act of 2011; S. 1327, A bill to amend the Act
of March 1, 1933, to transfer certain authority and resources
to the Utah Dineh Corporation, and for other purposes; and S.
1345, Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation Grand
Coulee Dam Equitable Compensation Settlement Act.
October 22, 2011--Oversight Field Hearing on H.O.P.E. for
the Future: Helping Our People Engage to Protect Our Youth.
October 31, 2011--Listening Session on Pending Legislation.
November 1, 2011--Listening Session on Senate Committee on
Indian Affairs Meetings with Tribal Leaders.
November 10, 2011--Legislative Hearing on S. 1763, Stand
Against Violence and Empower (SAVE) Native Women Act; S. 872,
Lytton Rancheria; and S. 1192, AK Safe Families and Villages
Act
November 17, 2011--Oversight Hearing on the Future of
Internet Gaming: What's at Stake for Tribes.
December 1, 2011--Oversight Hearing on Deficit Reduction
and Job Creation: Regulatory Reform in Indian Country.
December 8, 2011--Business Meeting on S. 1763, Stand
Against Violence and Empower (SAVE) Native Women Act; and S.
1065, the Blackfoot River Land Settlement Act.
December 8, 2011--Oversight Hearing on State and Federal
Tax Policy: Building New Markets Indian Country.
112th Congress, Second Session
B. Committee Hearings, Business Meetings, Roundtables, and
Listening Sessions
February 2, 2012--Legislative Hearing on S. 1739, A bill to
provide for the use and distribution of judgment funds awarded
to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe by the United States Court of
Federal Claims in Docket Numbers 19 and 188, and for other
purposes; S. 356, A bill to amend the Grand Ronde Reservation
Act to make technical corrections, and for other purposes; and
S. 908, A bill to provide for the addition of certain real
property to the reservation of the Siletz Tribe in the State of
Oregon.
February 9, 2012--Oversight Hearing on the U.S. Department
of Justice Opinion on Internet Gaming: What's at Stake for
Tribes.
February 16, 2012--Oversight Hearing on Energy Development
in Indian Country
March 1, 2012--Roundtable on Protecting our Ancestral
Remains, Religious Freedoms, and Sacred Places.
March 8, 2012--Oversight Hearing on the President's Fiscal
Year 2013 Budget for Native Programs.
March 15, 2012--Oversight Hearing on Indian Water Rights:
Promoting the Negotiation and Implementation of Water
Settlements in Indian Country.
March 22, 2012--Legislative Hearing on S. 1898, A bill to
provide for the conveyance of certain property from the United
States to the Maniilaq Association located in Kotzebue, Alaska;
and H.R. 1560, A bill to amend the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and
Alabama and Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act to
allow the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribe to determine blood
quantum requirements for membership in that tribe.
March 29, 2012--Roundtable on Stewards of our Homelands:
The Role of Native Peoples in Environmental Protection.
April 10, 2012--Roundtable on Community Development on the
Hawaiian Home Lands: Understanding the Challenges and
Opportunities.
April 13, 2012--Legislative Field Hearing on S. 65, the
Hawaiian Homeownership Act of 2011.
April 19, 2012--Legislative Hearing on S. 1684, Indian
Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments
of 2011.
April 24, 2012--Roundtable on Protecting our Fish and
Wildlife Resources.
April 26, 2012--Roundtable on Federal Recognition:
Political and Legal Relationship between Governments.
May 17, 2012--Oversight Hearing on Fulfilling the Federal
Trust Responsibility: The Foundation of the Government-to-
Government Relationship.
May 19, 2012--Listening Session on the Tribal Energy Draft
Bill.
May 24, 2012--Oversight Hearing on Programs and Services
for Native Veterans.
June 7, 2012--Oversight Hearing on Universal Service Fund
Reform: Ensuring a Sustainable and Connected Future for Native
Communities.
June 14, 2012--Oversight Hearing on New Tax Burdens on
Tribal Self-Determination.
June 28, 2012--Business Meeting on H.R. 443, To provide for
the conveyance of certain property from the United States to
the Maniilaq Association located in Kotzebue, Alaska; H.R.
1560, To amend the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama and
Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act to allow the
Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribe to determine blood quantum
requirement for membership in that tribe; H.R. 1272, To provide
for the use and distribution of the funds awarded to the
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, et al., by the United States Court of
Federal Claims in Docket Numbers 19 and 188, and for other
purposes; S. 134, A bill to authorize the Mescalero Apache
Tribe to lease adjudicated water rights; S. 1065, A bill to
settle land claims within the Fort Hall Reservation; S. 2389, A
bill to deem the submission of certain claims to an Indian
Health Service contracting officer as timely; and S. 3193, A
bill to make technical corrections to the legal description of
certain land to be held in trust for the Barona Band of Mission
Indians, and for other purposes.
July 12, 2012--Oversight Hearing on Federal Recognition:
Political and Legal Relationship between Governments.
July 19, 2012--Oversight Hearing on Impacts of
Environmental Changes on Treaty Rights, Traditional Lifestyles,
and Tribal Homelands.
July 26, 2012--Oversight Hearing on Regulation of Tribal
Gaming: From Brick & Mortar to the Internet.
September 13, 2012--Business Meeting on S. 675, the Native
Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2011; S. 1345, the
Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation Grand
Coulee Dam Equitable Compensation Settlement Act; and S. 1684,
the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act
Amendments of 2011.
September 13, 2012--Oversight Hearing on Addressing the
Costly Administrative Burdens and Negative Impacts of the
Carcieri and Patchak Decisions.
September 14, 2012--Nomination Hearing on the President's
Nomination of Kevin K. Washburn to be Assistant Secretary-
Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior.
September 18, 2012--Listening Session on Draft Tribal
Online Gaming Act.
September 20, 2012--Oversight Hearing on Advancing the
Federal-Tribal Relationship through Self-Governance and Self-
Determination.
September 20, 2012--Business Meeting on S. 65, A bill to
reauthorize the programs of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development for housing assistance for Native Hawaiians; S.
2024, A bill to make technical amendment to the T'uf Shur Bien
Preservation Trust Area Act, and for other purposes; S. 3546,
Esther Martinez Language Preservation Act Reauthorization; S.
3548, To clarify certain provisions of the Native American
Veterans' Memorial Establishment Act of 1994; and H.R. 2467, To
take certain Federal lands in Mono County, California, into
trust for the benefit of the Bridgeport Indian Colony.
October 24, 2012--Listening Session on Draft Tribal Online
Gaming Act.
November 29, 2012--Oversight Hearing on Reclaiming Our
Image and Identity for the Next Seven Generations.