Amending Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 325, which would amend the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act, to extend the deadline of the Commission's report from 3 years to 5 years after the Commission is fully appointed and fully funded.

In 2016, the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act was signed into law.

The purpose of the legislation was to establish, within the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Tribal Justice, a commission on Native children and to conduct a comprehensive study regarding the Federal and local programs, grants, and support available for Native communities and Native children.

The legislation stipulated that 3 years after the date on which the Commission is fully appointed and funded, the Commission shall issue a report to Congress with its recommendations on how to achieve better use of existing resources, increased coordination, measurable outcomes, stronger data, enhanced private sector partnerships, and implementation of best practices.

Funding for the Commission was not authorized in the enacted version. However, the fiscal year 2019 Consolidated Appropriations Act provided $400,000 to the Commission.

With delays in securing funding and the full appointment of Commission members, the Commission was not able to hold its first meeting until December 2019. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed much of the Commission's work.

In response to these challenges faced by the Commission, my good friend, Mr. Young, introduced the House companion bill to S. 325, to ensure that the Commission has adequate time to produce a complete and comprehensive report.

I would like to commend Mr. Young for his continued tireless work on behalf of American Indian and Alaska Natives.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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