[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 204 (Thursday, December 3, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H6099-H6102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
INDIAN COMMUNITY ECONOMIC ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2020
Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(S. 212) to amend the Native American Business Development, Trade
Promotion, and Tourism Act of 2000, the Buy Indian Act, and the Native
American Programs Act of 1974 to provide industry and economic
development opportunities to Indian communities, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 212
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Indian Community Economic
Enhancement Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1)(A) to bring industry and economic development to Indian
communities, Indian Tribes must overcome a number of
barriers, including--
(i) geographical location;
(ii) lack of infrastructure or capacity;
(iii) lack of sufficient collateral and capital; and
(iv) regulatory bureaucracy relating to--
(I) development; and
(II) access to services provided by the Federal Government;
and
(B) the barriers described in subparagraph (A) often add to
the cost of doing business in Indian communities;
(2) Indian Tribes--
(A) enact laws and exercise sovereign governmental powers;
(B) determine policy for the benefit of Tribal members; and
(C) produce goods and services for consumers;
(3) the Federal Government has--
(A) an important government-to-government relationship with
Indian Tribes; and
(B) a role in facilitating healthy and sustainable Tribal
economies;
(4) the input of Indian Tribes in developing Federal policy
and programs leads to more meaningful and effective measures
to assist Indian Tribes and Indian entrepreneurs in building
Tribal economies;
(5)(A) many components of Tribal infrastructure need
significant repair or replacement; and
(B) access to private capital for projects in Indian
communities--
(i) may not be available; or
(ii) may come at a higher cost than such access for other
projects;
(6)(A) Federal capital improvement programs, such as those
that facilitate tax-exempt bond financing and loan
guarantees, are tools that help improve or replace crumbling
infrastructure;
(B) lack of parity in treatment of an Indian Tribe as a
governmental entity under Federal tax and certain other
regulatory laws impedes, in part, the ability of Indian
Tribes to raise capital through issuance of tax exempt debt,
invest as an accredited investor, and benefit from other
investment incentives accorded to State and local
governmental entities; and
(C) as a result of the disparity in treatment of Indian
Tribes described in subparagraph (B), investors may avoid
financing, or demand a premium to finance, projects in Indian
communities, making the projects more costly or inaccessible;
(7) there are a number of Federal loan guarantee programs
available to facilitate financing of business, energy,
economic, housing, and community development projects in
Indian communities, and those programs may support public-
private partnerships for infrastructure development, but
improvements and support are needed for those programs
specific to Indian communities to facilitate more effectively
private financing for infrastructure and other urgent
development needs; and
(8)(A) most real property held by Indian Tribes is trust or
restricted land that essentially cannot be held as
collateral; and
(B) while creative solutions, such as leasehold mortgages,
have been developed in response to the problem identified in
subparagraph (A), some solutions remain subject to review and
approval by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, adding additional
costs and delay to Tribal projects.
SEC. 3. NATIVE AMERICAN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, TRADE
PROMOTION, AND TOURISM ACT OF 2000.
(a) Findings; Purposes.--Section 2 of the Native American
Business Development, Trade Promotion, and Tourism Act of
2000 (25 U.S.C. 4301) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(c) Applicability to Indian-Owned Businesses.--The
findings and purposes in subsections (a) and (b) shall apply
to any Indian-owned business governed--
``(1) by Tribal laws regulating trade or commerce on Indian
lands; or
``(2) pursuant to section 5 of the Act of August 15, 1876
(19 Stat. 200, chapter 289; 25 U.S.C. 261).''.
(b) Definitions.--Section 3 of the Native American Business
Development, Trade Promotion, and Tourism Act of 2000 (25
U.S.C. 4302) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (6) and
paragraphs (7) through (9), as paragraphs (2) through (7) and
paragraphs (9) through (11), respectively;
(2) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as redesignated by
paragraph (1)) the following:
``(1) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of
Native American Business Development appointed pursuant to
section 4(a)(2).''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (7) (as redesignated by
paragraph (1)) the following:
``(8) Office.--The term `Office' means the Office of Native
American Business Development established by section
4(a)(1).''.
(c) Office of Native American Business Development.--
Section 4 of the Native American Business Development, Trade
Promotion, and Tourism Act of 2000 (25 U.S.C. 4303) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``Department of Commerce'' and inserting
``Office of the Secretary''; and
(ii) by striking ``(referred to in this Act as the
`Office')''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), in the first sentence, by striking
``(referred to in this Act as the `Director')''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Duties of Director.--
``(1) In general.--The Director shall serve as--
``(A) the program and policy advisor to the Secretary with
respect to the trust and governmental relationship between
the United States and Indian Tribes; and
``(B) the point of contact for Indian Tribes, Tribal
organizations, and Indians regarding--
``(i) policies and programs of the Department of Commerce;
and
``(ii) other matters relating to economic development and
doing business in Indian lands.
``(2) Departmental coordination.--The Director shall
coordinate with all offices and agencies within the
Department of Commerce to ensure that each office and agency
has an accountable process to ensure--
``(A) meaningful and timely coordination and assistance, as
required by this Act; and
``(B) consultation with Indian Tribes regarding the
policies, programs, assistance, and activities of the offices
and agencies.
``(3) Office operations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section not more than
$2,000,000 for each fiscal year.''.
(d) Indian Community Development Initiatives.--The Native
American Business Development, Trade Promotion, and Tourism
Act of 2000 is amended--
[[Page H6100]]
(1) by redesignating section 8 (25 U.S.C. 4307) as section
10; and
(2) by inserting after section 7 (25 U.S.C. 4306) the
following:
``SEC. 8. INDIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES.
``(a) Interagency Coordination.--Not later than 1 year
after the enactment of this section, the Secretary, the
Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of the Treasury
shall coordinate--
``(1) to develop initiatives that--
``(A) encourage, promote, and provide education regarding
investments in Indian communities through--
``(i) the loan guarantee program of Bureau of Indian
Affairs under section 201 of the Indian Financing Act of 1974
(25 U.S.C. 1481);
``(ii) programs carried out using amounts in the Community
Development Financial Institutions Fund established under
section 104(a) of the Community Development Banking and
Financial Institutions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4703(a)); and
``(iii) other capital development programs;
``(B) examine and develop alternatives that would qualify
as collateral for financing in Indian communities; and
``(C) provide entrepreneur and other training relating to
economic development through tribally controlled colleges and
universities and other Indian organizations with experience
in providing such training;
``(2) to consult with Indian Tribes and with the Securities
and Exchange Commission to study, and collaborate to
establish, regulatory changes necessary to qualify an Indian
Tribe as an accredited investor for the purposes of sections
230.500 through 230.508 of title 17, Code of Federal
Regulations (or successor regulations), consistent with the
goals of promoting capital formation and ensuring qualifying
Indian Tribes have the ability to withstand investment loss,
on a basis comparable to other legal entities that qualify as
accredited investors who are not natural persons;
``(3) to identify regulatory, legal, or other barriers to
increasing investment, business, and economic development,
including qualifying or approving collateral structures,
measurements of economic strength, and contributions of
Indian economies in Indian communities through the Authority
established under section 4 of the Indian Tribal Regulatory
Reform and Business Development Act of 2000 (25 U.S.C. 4301
note);
``(4) to ensure consultation with Indian Tribes regarding
increasing investment in Indian communities and the
development of the report required in paragraph (5); and
``(5) not less than once every 2 years, to provide a report
to Congress regarding--
``(A) improvements to Indian communities resulting from
such initiatives and recommendations for promoting sustained
growth of the Tribal economies;
``(B) results of the study and collaboration regarding the
necessary changes referenced in paragraph (2) and the impact
of allowing Indian Tribes to qualify as an accredited
investor; and
``(C) the identified regulatory, legal, and other barriers
referenced in paragraph (3).
``(b) Waiver.--For assistance provided pursuant to section
108 of the Community Development Banking and Financial
Institutions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4707) to benefit Native
Community Development Financial Institutions, as defined by
the Secretary of the Treasury, section 108(e) of such Act
shall not apply.
``(c) Indian Economic Development Feasibility Study.--
``(1) In general.--The Government Accountability Office
shall conduct a study and, not later than 18 months after the
date of enactment of this subsection, submit to the Committee
on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Natural
Resources of the House of Representatives a report on the
findings of the study and recommendations.
``(2) Contents.--The study shall include an assessment of
each of the following:
``(A) In general.--The study shall assess current Federal
capitalization and related programs and services that are
available to assist Indian communities with business and
economic development, including manufacturing, physical
infrastructure (such as telecommunications and broadband),
community development, and facilities construction for such
purposes. For each of the Federal programs and services
identified, the study shall assess the current use and demand
by Indian Tribes, individuals, businesses, and communities of
the programs, the capital needs of Indian Tribes, businesses,
and communities related to economic development, the extent
to which the programs and services overlap or are
duplicative, and the extent that similar programs have been
used to assist non-Indian communities compared to the extent
used for Indian communities.
``(B) Financing assistance.--The study shall assess and
quantify the extent of assistance provided to non-Indian
borrowers and to Indian (both Tribal and individual)
borrowers (including information about such assistance as a
percentage of need for Indian borrowers and for non-Indian
borrowers, assistance to Indian borrowers and to non-Indian
borrowers as a percentage of total applicants, and such
assistance to Indian borrowers as individuals as compared to
such assistance to Indian Tribes) through the loan programs,
the loan guarantee programs, or bond guarantee programs of
the--
``(i) Department of the Interior;
``(ii) Department of Agriculture;
``(iii) Department of Housing and Urban Development;
``(iv) Department of Energy;
``(v) Small Business Administration; and
``(vi) Community Development Financial Institutions Fund of
the Department of the Treasury.
``(C) Tax incentives.--The study shall assess and quantify
the extent of the assistance and allocations afforded for
non-Indian projects and for Indian projects pursuant to each
of the following tax incentive programs:
``(i) New market tax credit.
``(ii) Low income housing tax credit.
``(iii) Investment tax credit.
``(iv) Renewable energy tax incentives.
``(v) Accelerated depreciation.
``(D) Tribal investment incentive.--The study shall assess
various alternative incentives that could be provided to
enable and encourage Tribal governments to invest in an
Indian community development investment fund or bank.''.
(e) Conforming and Technical Amendments.--The Native
American Business Development, Trade Promotion, and Tourism
Act of 2000 (25 U.S.C. 4301 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 3--
(A) in each of paragraphs (1), (4), and (8), by striking
``tribe'' and inserting ``Tribe''; and
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking ``The term `Indian tribe'
has the meaning given that term'' and inserting ``The term
`Indian Tribe' has the meaning given the term `Indian tribe'
'';
(2) by striking ``tribes'' each place the term appears and
inserting ``Tribes''; and
(3) by striking ``tribal'' each place the term appears and
inserting ``Tribal''.
SEC. 4. BUY INDIAN ACT.
Section 23 of the Act of June 25, 1910 (commonly known as
the ``Buy Indian Act'') (36 Stat. 861, chapter 431; 25 U.S.C.
47), is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 23. EMPLOYMENT OF INDIAN LABOR AND PURCHASE OF
PRODUCTS OF INDIAN INDUSTRY; PARTICIPATION IN
MENTOR-PROTEGE PROGRAM.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Indian economic enterprise.--The term `Indian
economic enterprise' has the meaning given the term in
section 1480.201 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations (or
successor regulations).
``(2) Mentor firm; protege firm.--The terms `mentor firm'
and `protege firm' have the meanings given those terms in
section 831(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 1991 (10 U.S.C. 2302 note; Public Law 101-510).
``(3) Secretaries.--The term `Secretaries' means--
``(A) the Secretary of the Interior; and
``(B) the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
``(b) Enterprise Development.--
``(1) In general.--Unless determined by one of the
Secretaries to be impracticable and unreasonable--
``(A) Indian labor shall be employed; and
``(B) purchases of Indian industry products (including
printing and facilities construction, notwithstanding any
other provision of law) may be made in open market by the
Secretaries.
``(2) Mentor-protege program.--
``(A) In general.--Participation in the Mentor-Protege
Program established under section 831(a) of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 (10 U.S.C.
2302 note; Public Law 101-510) or receipt of assistance under
a developmental assistance agreement under that program shall
not render any individual or entity involved in the provision
of Indian labor or an Indian industry product ineligible to
receive assistance under this section.
``(B) Treatment.--For purposes of this section, no
determination of affiliation or control (whether direct or
indirect) may be found between a protege firm and a mentor
firm on the basis that the mentor firm has provided, or
agreed to provide, to the protege firm, pursuant to a mentor-
protege agreement, any form of developmental assistance
described in section 831(f) of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 (10 U.S.C. 2302 note;
Public Law 101-510).
``(c) Implementation.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretaries shall--
``(1) conduct outreach to Indian industrial entities;
``(2) provide training;
``(3) promulgate regulations in accordance with this
section and with the regulations under part 1480 of title 48,
Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), to
harmonize the procurement procedures of the Department of the
Interior and the Department of Health and Human Services, to
the maximum extent practicable;
``(4) require regional offices of the Bureau of Indian
Affairs and the Indian Health Service to aggregate data
regarding compliance with this section;
``(5) require procurement management reviews by their
respective Departments to include a review of the
implementation of this section; and
``(6) consult with Indian Tribes, Indian industrial
entities, and other stakeholders regarding methods to
facilitate compliance with--
``(A) this section; and
``(B) other small business or procurement goals.
``(d) Report.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, and not less frequently than once
every 2
[[Page H6101]]
years thereafter, each of the Secretaries shall submit to the
Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee
on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report
describing, during the period covered by the report, the
implementation of this section by each of the respective
Secretaries.
``(2) Contents.--Each report under this subsection shall
include, for each fiscal year during the period covered by
the report--
``(A) the names of each agency under the respective
jurisdiction of each of the Secretaries to which this section
has been applied, and efforts made by additional agencies
within the Secretaries' respective Departments to use the
procurement procedures under this Act;
``(B) a summary of the types of purchases made from, and
contracts (including any relevant modifications, extensions,
or renewals) awarded to, Indian economic enterprises,
expressed by agency region;
``(C) a description of the percentage increase or decrease
in total dollar value and number of purchases and awards made
within each agency region, as compared to the totals of the
region for the preceding fiscal year;
``(D) a description of the methods used by applicable
contracting officers and employees to conduct market searches
to identify qualified Indian economic enterprises;
``(E) a summary of all deviations granted under section
1480.403 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations (or
successor regulations), including a description of--
``(i) the types of alternative procurement methods used,
including any Indian owned businesses reported under other
procurement goals; and
``(ii) the dollar value of any awards made pursuant to
those deviations;
``(F) a summary of all determinations made to provide
awards to Indian economic enterprises, including a
description of the dollar value of the awards;
``(G) a description or summary of the total number and
value of all purchases of, and contracts awarded for,
supplies, services, and construction (including the
percentage increase or decrease, as compared to the preceding
fiscal year) from--
``(i) Indian economic enterprises; and
``(ii) non-Indian economic enterprises;
``(H) any administrative, procedural, legal, or other
barriers to achieving the purposes of this section, together
with recommendations for legislative or administrative
actions to address those barriers; and
``(I) for each agency region--
``(i) the total amount spent on purchases made from, and
contracts awarded to, Indian economic enterprises; and
``(ii) a comparison of the amount described in clause (i)
to the total amount that the agency region would likely have
spent on the same purchases made from a non-Indian economic
enterprise or contracts awarded to a non-Indian economic
enterprise.
``(e) Goals.--Each agency shall establish an annual minimum
percentage goal for procurement in compliance with this
section.''.
SEC. 5. NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAMS ACT OF 1974.
(a) Financial Assistance for Native American Projects.--
Section 803 of the Native American Programs Act of 1974 (42
U.S.C. 2991b) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (b) through (d) as
subsections (c) through (e), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
``(b) Economic Development.--
``(1) In general.--The Commissioner may provide assistance
under subsection (a) for projects relating to the purposes of
this title to a Native community development financial
institution, as defined by the Secretary of the Treasury.
``(2) Priority.--With regard to not less than 50 percent of
the total amount available for assistance under this section,
the Commissioner shall give priority to any application
seeking assistance for--
``(A) the development of a Tribal code or court system for
purposes of economic development, including commercial codes,
training for court personnel, regulation pursuant to section
5 of the Act of August 15, 1876 (19 Stat. 200, chapter 289;
25 U.S.C. 261), and the development of nonprofit subsidiaries
or other Tribal business structures;
``(B) the development of a community development financial
institution, including training and administrative expenses;
or
``(C) the development of a Tribal master plan for community
and economic development and infrastructure.''.
(b) Technical Assistance and Training.--Section 804 of the
Native American Programs Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2991c) is
amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``The Commissioner'' and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--The Commissioner''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Priority.--In providing assistance under subsection
(a), the Commissioner shall give priority to any application
described in section 803(b)(2).''.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 816 of the
Native American Programs Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2992d) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``803(d)'' each place it appears and
inserting ``803(e)''; and
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``such sums as may be necessary'' and
inserting ``$34,000,000''; and
(B) by striking ``1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002'' and
inserting ``2021 through 2025''.
(d) Conforming and Technical Amendments.--The Native
American Programs Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2991 et seq.) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``tribe'' each place the term appears and
inserting ``Tribe'';
(2) by striking ``tribes'' each place the term appears and
inserting ``Tribes''; and
(3) by striking ``tribal'' each place the term appears and
inserting ``Tribal''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Hawaii (Mr. Case) and the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-
Colon) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Hawaii.
General Leave
Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Hawaii?
There was no objection.
Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, S. 212, the Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act,
amends current laws to provide industry and economic development
opportunities to Indian communities.
Indian Tribes face many unique obstacles in their mission to bring
industry and economic development to Indian Country. This includes
geographic isolation, lack of infrastructure, and lack of sufficient
collateral and capital. The end result is an increased cost of doing
business in Indian Country, which stifles outside investment.
S. 212 seeks to address these issues by amending three existing
Federal laws, the Native American Business Development, Trade
Promotion, and Tourism Act of 2000, the Buy Indian Act, and the Native
American Programs Act of 1974.
These laws have been supporting Native businesses and economic
development for years. However, they need to be updated to reflect the
21st century economy, as well as the realities in Indian Country today.
To that end, enactment of S. 212 will increase access to capital for
Indian Tribes and businesses, increase opportunities for Indian
business promotion, and create mechanisms and tools to address
investments in Indian communities.
At the request of the Appropriations Committee, we are making some
small changes to the current bill to update the fiscal year
authorization language for some of the programs. This means that the
bill will have to go back to the Senate, where I hope and believe they
will move swiftly to enact it, as amended, before the end of this
Congress.
{time} 1745
I commend the sponsor of the bill, the chair of the Senate Committee
on Indian Affairs, Senator Hoeven from North Dakota, for his work on
this legislation.
I also recognize our own colleague, Representative Norma Torres from
California for her work on the bill and for carrying the House
companion, H.R. 1937.
I urge my colleagues to support S. 212, and I ask for its adoption.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Committee on Education and Labor,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, November 30, 2020.
Hon. Raul M. Grijalva,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Grijalva: I write concerning S. 212, the
Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act of 2019. This bill
was primarily referred to the Committee on Natural Resources,
and additionally to the Committee on Education and Labor. As
a result of Leadership and the Committee on Natural Resources
having consulted with me concerning this bill generally, I
agree to forgo formal consideration of the bill so the bill
may proceed expeditiously to the House floor.
The Committee on Education and Labor takes this action with
our mutual understanding that by forgoing formal
consideration of S. 212, we do not waive any jurisdiction
over the subject matter contained in this or similar
legislation, and we will be appropriately consulted and
involved as the bill or similar legislation moves forward so
we may address any remaining issues within our Rule X
jurisdiction. I also request that you support my request to
name members of
[[Page H6102]]
the Committee on Education and Labor to any conference
committee to consider such provisions.
Finally, I would appreciate a response confirming this
understanding and ask that a copy of our exchange of letters
on this matter be included in the committee report for S. 212
and in the Congressional Record during floor consideration
thereof.
Sincerely,
Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott,
Chairman.
____
Committee on Natural Resources,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, November 30, 2020.
Hon. Bobby Scott,
Chair, Committee on Education and Labor,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chair Scott: I write to you concerning S. 212, the
``Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act of 2019.''
I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this
legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions
that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on
Education and Labor. I acknowledge that your Committee will
not formally consider S. 212 and agree that the inaction of
your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any
future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in the
bill that fall within your Committee's Rule X jurisdiction.
I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this
legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you
as this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Raul M. Grijalva,
Chair,
House Natural Resources Committee.
Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that, for decades, the Native
American communities have struggled with a wide array of difficulties
relating to economic development on their own land, including poor
access to capital, remote and rural locations, and degradation of the
local infrastructure. Only around half of all Native Americans residing
or near Tribal communities have jobs, and a quarter of Native families
earn an income that is below the American poverty line.
Tribal economic development is also hampered by the need for Federal
approval before leasing of trust lands, legal systems that are not
business friendly, and issues raised by sovereign immunity.
This bill, S. 212, amends three Federal laws relating to business,
economic, and trade development in Indian communities: the Native
American Business Development, Trade Promotion, and Tourism Act of
2000, the Buy Indian Act, and the Native American Programs Act of 1974.
The amendments are intended to increase access to capital for Indian
Tribes and businesses, increase opportunities for Indian business
promotion, and create mechanisms and tools to attract investments in
Indian communities.
Mr. Speaker, I fully support the intent behind this legislation and
appreciate the work that has gone into it over the last several years.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I very much appreciate the comments of my
colleague from Puerto Rico.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I am prepared to close, and
I reserve the balance of my time.
Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today in support
of the legislation before us, the ``Indian Community Economic
Enhancement Act,''--the Senate companion to my bill in the House.
For too long, lack of access to credit and community development have
hampered the entrepreneurial spirit of Native American tribes. Yet,
across the country, Native American entrepreneurs are ready to start
new businesses, create jobs, and lift up their communities.
My bill is a first step to change that. It updates and provides new
resources to the Department of Commerce's Office of Native American
Business Development. It ensures the Department of Health and Human
Services is using Native American labor and industry products when
appropriate. And, it authorizes the Administration for Native Americans
to provide key financial assistance to Native American community
development financial institutions.
I want to thank my friend Congresswoman Haaland for co-leading this
bill with me, and Senator Hoeven, Chairman of the Senate Committee on
Indian Affairs, for introducing and shepherding this bill in the
Senate.
The American people and Native communities, should be reassured that
there is bipartisan commitment to improving lives in Indian Country.
I urge my colleagues, to vote yes and join us in empowering the
Native American entrepreneurs and communities who are building
solutions for a better tomorrow.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, S. 212, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________