Native American Child Protection Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 1688 amends the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act to reauthorize three programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of the Interior that are intended to prevent cases within Indian communities where child abuse, neglect, family violence, and trauma may occur and to provide treatment for victims of Indian child sexual abuse.

The authorization for appropriations for the three programs expired in 1997. The bill also makes several technical changes to the underlying statute, requiring agencies to report on grant awards.

Advocates cite the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act as the only federally dedicated child abuse prevention and victim treatment funding for Tribal governments, but Congress has only appropriated approximately $5 million for this program.

I appreciate the sponsor bringing attention to this important issue as abuse, neglect, and violence have no place in any community.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the dean of the House and a true expert on Tribal issues.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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