Senate Passes Indian Trust Asset Reform Act, Bill Now Heads To White House For President'S Signature

Press Release

Today the Senate approved the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act, to restore tribal sovereignty and give Tribes control of their trust asset management plans. The bill, cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Denny Heck (D-Wash.), passed the U.S. House of Representatives in February.

"I applaud the United States Senate for respecting Indian County's ability to protect and manage their resources," Heck said. "This brings us closer to sovereignty and will help the economies of many tribes as they make the right financial decisions for their own communities. I look forward to working with tribes on other ways we can move the needle on critical issues, including Puget Sound recovery and returning the Ancient One home."

Currently, the Department of the Interior dictates to Tribes which of their trust resources they are allowed to use. The Indian Trust Asset Reform Act would instead authorize Tribes to choose if they would like to manage and control their trust assets under a new plan.

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