Issue Position: Tribal Sovereignty & Native Communities

Issue Position

The United States has a solemn treaty obligation to Native peoples.

I'm proud to partner with indigenous peoples as we work to secure quality health care, infrastructure investment, economic opportunities, and uphold sovereignty rights for Native Americans in New Mexico.

To create true partnerships with Tribal communities, it is incumbent that our governments recognize the pain and indignities Native Americans in New Mexicans and across the country have suffered through racist policies that linger to this day. We must also continue rectifying and providing recourse for those injustices as a guiding policy principle. This is done by listening to Tribal elders and communities and showing respect and appreciation for the culture, public service, and contributions of Native Americans in every facet of our state and history. I extend my gratitude to the warriors who served our nation in its time of need. Native Americans serve in the United States military at higher rates than any other ethnic group in the country, including heroes like the Navajo Code Talkers -- warriors who were instrumental to the United States' success in World War II.

In Congress, I have worked to clean up contamination left behind by our nation's nuclear legacy, improve the standard of living in Tribal communities, protect sacred lands, and honor the treaties between the federal government and tribes. In the Senate, I will be a strong voice for the proud Tribal communities in New Mexico and beyond.

I know the federal government has a responsibility to consult with Tribes on projects that impact their lands or sacred sites and fulfill its obligations in a manner that respects Tribal sovereignty.

It's simply unacceptable that Native individuals have shorter life expectancies and worse health outcomes across the board. This is why I have advocated tirelessly for adequate funding for the Indian Health Service, culturally competent care across our state, and putting an end to discriminatory practices within our health system. We must continue to improve upon the IHS system of care.

We must also take decisive action to stop the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women. Native women face murder rates ten times higher than the national average and nearly 60 percent of Native women face sexual violence in their lifetime. Tragically, New Mexico has more cases of missing and murdered indigenous women than any other state in our union. Together, we've made progress. Congress improved AMBER Alert systems on Native lands and I've proposed an expansive broadband invest package that will connect Indian Country with the high-speed, broadband Internet needed to dutifully prevent Tribal lands.

My Record on Tribal Sovereignty & Native Communities

Led the New Mexico Congressional Delegation to re-introduce the Native American Voting Rights Act to remove barriers to the ballot box faced by Native Americans.
Sponsored the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2019, which would bar the export of Tribal heritage items and increase criminal penalties for people caught trafficking cultural patrimony.
Co-sponsored the Remove the Stain Act of 2019, which would rescind Congressional Medals of Honor granted for actions during the Wounded Knee Massacre.
In a significant win for sacred land in New Mexico, I secured a one-year moratorium on oil and gas drilling in the greater Chaco Cultural Heritage Area to protect that sacred land from desecration. This will build on the momentum to pass the Chaco Cultural Heritage Protection Act to withdraw the federal lands around Chaco Canyon from further mineral development permanently.
Introduced the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2019, which would reauthorize the existing Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund until 2045 and expands eligibility so former uranium workers and downwinders receive the benefits they deserve.
Led the effort to pass the Ashlynn Mike Amber Alert In Indian Country Act of 2017 to secure new resources to help Tribal and state police search for missing and murdered indigenous women.
Proud co-sponsor of the Not Invisible Act, which would improve intergovernmental coordination to identify and combat violent crimes committed in Tribal lands against Native Americans.
Introduced legislation to support Native veterans who are experiencing homelessness by providing for rental assistance.
Proud co-sponsor of the Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act, which would improve health care by providing the Department of Veterans Affairs coverage of care Native American veterans receive at urban Indian health centers.
Co-sponsor of the Native American Suicide Prevention Act of 2019.
Introduced a sweeping broadband infrastructure package that would provide $5 billion to improve broadband infrastructure in rural and Tribal communities.
Introduced legislation to support Native veterans who are experiencing homelessness by providing for rental assistance.
Proud co-sponsor of the Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act, which would improve health care by providing the Department of Veterans Affairs coverage of care Native American veterans receive at urban Indian health centers.

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