[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 190 (Wednesday, December 7, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H8804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING PROMISES TO NATIVE NATIONS

  (Mr. KILMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, in 2018, the United States Commission on 
Civil Rights released the ``Broken Promises'' report, a project 
undertaken at my request to evaluate Federal obligations to Indian 
Country.
  Here is a summary. For too long, the Federal Government has failed to 
live up to its treaty and trust responsibilities to Tribal nations. As 
a result, many Native communities lack adequate housing, health 
facilities, schools, and justice centers. Many lack basic 
infrastructure--roads, water, and telecommunications--required to 
deliver needed support services.
  Congress and the Federal Government have a moral and legal obligation 
to fulfill the promises that have been made, and that is why I am proud 
to introduce the Honoring Promises to Native Nations Act, legislation 
to help reverse the decades-long pattern of systemic funding shortfalls 
and to strengthen Federal programs that support Indian Country.
  This bill includes provisions to reaffirm the nation-to-nation 
relationship between the Federal Government and Tribal nations and to 
better meet the needs of Native communities.
  Action is long overdue, Mr. Speaker, and Congress should move swiftly 
to get this done.

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