Committee Passes RESPECT Act at Business Meeting

Statement

Today, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), passed S. 2796, the Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes Act (RESPECT Act), during a committee business meeting. The RESPECT Act was introduced by Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD).

During the business meeting, Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the SCIA, highlighted what the legislation intended to accomplish.

"On April 13, 2016, Senator Rounds introduced S. 2796, along with Senator Lankford," said Chairman Barrasso. "This bill is an important step in repealing and eliminating a host of ill-conceived laws aimed at Native Americans.

"Most of these laws are not enforced and Congress has disavowed long ago the policies underlying these laws. While this bill can't rewrite history, it could help reinforce contemporary policies of self-determination and move forward our government-to-government relationship."

Source