[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 192 (Tuesday, November 2, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H6104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA

  (Mr. SOTO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, today the House just passed the Senate 
substitute for our bill, the bipartisan H.R. 164, and it now heads to 
President Biden's desk. It helps right an injustice.
  Historically, land has been held in trust for Tribes by the Federal 
Government, as is the case for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. In modern 
times, this has become a cumbersome process.
  The bill itself was necessary to allow the Seminole Tribe to engage 
in certain land transactions that were interpreted as necessary by a 
congressional bill, by the Indian Non-Intercourse Act, so this would 
allow them to finally engage in those land transactions.
  It is critical for the Seminoles and other Tribes to be able to 
conduct their affairs without having to go to Congress every time. 
Comprehensive reform is needed in the future, and we appreciate the 
support in the House today to send this very good bill to President 
Biden.

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