[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 104 (Thursday, June 20, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S4172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  WINNEBAGO LAND TRANSFER ACT OF 2023

  Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, the Winnebago Land Transfer Act brings a 
simple issue of fairness to the Senate floor. I introduced this bill 
with my colleagues after hearing from members of the Winnebago Tribe 
about the trials they have faced over decades. These trials were sadly 
imposed by our own government, and that is why our government must 
resolve them.
  In the mid-1800s, the government forcibly removed the Winnebago Tribe 
from their homeland. They settled in a new home in 1865--the Winnebago 
Indian Reservation in my home State of Nebraska.
  The government promised that land to the Winnebago Tribe, and they 
promised it forever, but they did not keep that promise. In 1970, the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers condemned 1,600 acres of the Tribe's 
reservation land for a proposed recreation project--a project that was 
never even started. The land seizure launched over half a century of 
legal battles between the Winnebago Tribe and the U.S. Government--
battles that never brought this matter to a just resolution.
  But America is defined by our striving toward the ideals of justice 
and equality. Our government was established to protect these ideals, 
and that is what we will do by passing the Winnebago Land Transfer Act. 
Our legislation will restore the Tribe's rightful land, transferring 
the remaining tracts of land back from the U.S. Army Corps.
  The House of Representatives passed this legislation earlier this 
year, and that is the version we are voting on today. They passed it 
because, like I said, it is a simple issue of fairness--one that all of 
us, no matter our political party, can get behind.
  I am hopeful that today the Senate will follow suit, that we will 
uphold those ideals of justice and of equality. I am hopeful that we 
will pass this bill to return the land to its rightful owner, the 
Winnebago Tribe.
  Mr. President, as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent 
that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 
411, H.R. 1240.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 1240) to transfer administrative jurisdiction 
     of certain Federal lands from the Army Corps of Engineers to 
     the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to take such lands into trust 
     for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mrs. FISCHER. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered 
read a third time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill was ordered to a third reading and was read the third time.
  Mrs. FISCHER. I know of no further debate on the bill.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. There being no further debate and the bill 
having been read the third time, the question is, Shall the bill pass?
  The bill (H.R. 1240) was passed.
  Mrs. FISCHER. I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider 
be considered made and laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mrs. FISCHER. I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________