MCCOLLUM LEGISLATION RESTORING EQUAL ACCESS TO TRIBAL HOMELANDS PASSES U.S. HOUSE

Statement

Carcieri Fix' Bill, H.R. 4352, Passes House
Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4352 to amend the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, reaffirming the authority of the Secretary of Interior to take land into trust for all federally recognized Indian tribes, regardless of the date of their recognition. In the 2009 Carcieri v. Salazar decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the only tribes federally recognized prior to 1934 could have land placed into trust. This decision created a discriminatory two-tier system for the Department of the Interior's fee-to-trust process, and has resulted in inequality, uncertainty, and costly litigation. Since the 2009 opinion, members in both chambers of Congress have introduced bipartisan legislation to restore the original intent of the Indian Reorganization Act.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), who introduced H.R. 4352, released the following statement:
"Tribal Nations should not be discriminated against because of their date of federal recognition," McCollum said. "That date has no bearing on their existence as sovereign nations -- and so it should have no bearing on their right to reestablish their homelands. All federally recognized Tribal Nations must have the same right to place land into trust to support the needs of their communities and strengthen their self-governance. This bill affirms congressional intent that the Indian Reorganization Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to place land into trust for all federally recognized Tribal Nations, regardless of their date of recognition. As Members of Congress, it is our duty to honor the federal government's trust and treaty responsibilities, safeguard and empower Native American communities, and protect their treaty rights, lands, assets, and resources now and for generations to come. I thank my colleagues for joining me to finally fix this grave injustice."

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