Hearing of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee - Opening Statement of Sen. Barrasso, Hearing on "Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA) -- 5 Years Later: How Have the Justice Systems in Indian Country Improved?"
Hearing
"Today the Committee will examine the "Tribal Law and Order Act - 5 Years Later: How have the justice systems in Indian Country improved?"
"Congress passed this act in 2010 to improve criminal justice and public safety in Indian communities.
"Federal responsiveness and accountability was a fundamental principle underlying this act.
"The act recognized that the Departments of Justice, Interior, and Health and Human Services play key roles in the justice systems in Indian communities.
"This law required more collaboration and coordination, program improvements, and specific reporting from these departments.
"Their active involvement is critical for these communities -- particularly the Department of Health and Human Services.
"In the field hearing held on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming, every witness stated that drug and alcohol abuse is involved in nearly every crime occurring on the Reservation and possibly throughout Indian Country.
"If we do not address the drug and alcohol abuse, we will not see improvements in the justice system.
"So we will examine how effective the agencies have been in reducing crime and recidivism rates through their coordination and respective programs.
"The Tribal Law and Order Act also intended that better data be produced so that resources can be more effectively used.
"Annual reports on the Bureau of Indian Affairs spending and unmet needs have not been submitted as required by the law.
"The last Bureau of Indian Affairs report was issued in April, 2013 on Fiscal Year 2010 information.
"The Department of Justice just submitted the most recent report, less than an hour before the hearing today. Before that the Department of Justice issued only its second report in August of 2014.
"There is no justification for such delays. I know Mr. Vice Chairman this is something that has been a bipartisan concern.
"It raises questions regarding the agencies' accountability and commitment to Indian Country justice and defeats the purpose of the creation of this whole piece of legislation in the first place."
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