WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Vice Chairman of the Committee, released the following statements on Senate passage of:
- H.R. 423, the Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2023
- S. 70, the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2023
- S. 460, the Urban Indian Health Confer Act
- S. 1308, a bill to amend the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to extend the deadline for the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate regulations implementing title IV of that Act, and for other purposes
“The bill headed to the President’s desk speaks to the Committee’s ongoing bipartisan work to restore tribal homelands and support Native economic development,” said Chairman Schatz. “And the Senate-passed bills headed to the House show our commitment to improving Native health outcomes, streamlining federal mortgage processes, and supporting tribal self-determination. I look forward to getting all these bills across the finish line.”
“Last night, the Senate passed four bills reported from the Indian Affairs Committee,” said Senator Murkowski. “These bills will improve healthcare for urban Indian communities, advance tribal self-governance, increase Native homeownership, and protect sacred sites for future generations. I thank my colleagues for advancing these bills through the Senate, and I’m glad to see one of them heading to the President’s desk.”
