Savanna's Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, this is a monumental day. I am proud to rise alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to speak out in support of our legislation, which aims to address a crisis afflicting our Nation: that of missing and murdered indigenous women.

I hail from the State of Washington, and I am very familiar with how Native American Tribes are deeply integrated into the culture of the Pacific Northwest, as well as our whole country.

I was raised just across the river from the Yakama Nation reservation in central Washington, but I have got to say, I, like many others, was not aware of the disproportionate murder rate indigenous women suffer, 10 times the national average.

At the end of 2018, this crisis and the need for a solution was brought to me by the Tribal communities that I represent, and I was made aware of just how devastating the shortfalls of our justice system are for Native American and Alaska Native women and girls.

While the statistics we have are absolutely staggering--and you have heard them--the fact of the matter is we don't even know the full extent of the crisis.

In my home State of Washington, Native Americans make up about 2 percent of the State's population, but a recent report by the Washington State Patrol shows that indigenous women account for 7 percent of the State's reported missing women. The families of dozens of women still await answers as cases of missing or murdered indigenous women remain open or turn cold.

Yet this crisis has gone on for decades, with little to no action by the Federal Government. Complicated law enforcement jurisdictions have caused many problems throughout these investigations, and far too many Tribal law enforcement agencies lack the resources or access to critical databases to help solve these cases, which is why, when Savanna's Act failed to receive a vote on the House floor in the 115th Congress, I was determined to bring forward solutions in order to get this bill signed into law.

I was very proud to work with Representatives Torres and Haaland and others, in collaboration with Tribes, the Department of Justice, and many others, to improve upon that legislation. The product is a broadly bipartisan bill that has passed unanimously in both the House Judiciary Committee as well as the United States Senate.

We worked to create legislation that will bring focus to this crisis and improve the coordination between Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies.

This legislation aims to provide a sense of hope to the loved ones of these women by developing guidelines and best practices for Tribes and law enforcement agencies across the country, by enhancing reporting and recordkeeping of crimes against indigenous women, and by improving communication between law enforcement and the families of these victims.

This bill and this effort to bring awareness to the missing and murdered Native women across the country will go a long way to finally delivering justice to our communities.

Tribes across the country, including those that I represent, have thrown their support behind this legislation. In fact, last year, I walked alongside the then-chairman of the Yakama Tribe, as well as Councilwoman Lottie Sam, through the Halls of Congress, visiting Chairman Grijalva, Subcommittee Chairman Gallego, as well as Subcommittee Chairwoman Bass. These Yakama Nation officials traveled across the country, Mr. Speaker, more than 2,500 miles, to advocate for the passage of Savanna's Act and other legislation to address this crisis.

The bill is named, as you have heard the story, in honor of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, who was a 22-year-old member of the Spirit Lake Tribe, pregnant with her first child, who was murdered in August of 2017.

Since the introduction of Savanna's Act in the House, the remains of a Yakama Nation woman, Rosenda Strong, were found on the reservation. Her horrific murder, today, remains unsolved.

Thankfully, justice was served upon Savanna's murderers. We owe the same justice to Rosenda and all of the missing and murdered indigenous women across this country.

The passage of this bill today will demonstrate a long-awaited and necessary change. As I mentioned, this crisis has been going on for decades. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have promised action and failed to deliver.

I have been asked: What is different now? Why do you think progress can be made?

And I can honestly tell you, the main difference I have seen is that our Native communities are leading the charge. They have had enough, and they no longer will suffer in silence.

Throughout central Washington and across the country, the families of loved ones of thousands of missing or murdered indigenous women are awaiting justice.

It is because of their voices and their strong advocacy that I am here today, urging my colleagues throughout this legislative body to support passage of Savanna's Act. And, finally, Mr. Speaker, we can send this legislation to President Trump's desk to be signed into law.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source