Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) Leasing Authority

Floor Speech

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 681) to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the ``Long-Term Leasing Act''), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 681

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. MASHPEE WAMPANOAG TRIBE AND WAMPANOAG TRIBE OF GAY HEAD (AQUINNAH) LEASING AUTHORITY.

Subsection (a) of the first section of the Act of August 9, 1955 (69 Stat. 539, chapter 615; 25 U.S.C. 415(a)) (commonly known as the ``Long-Term Leasing Act''), is amended, in the second sentence, by inserting ``, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation, land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)'' after ``Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation''.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. 681, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 681, introduced by Representative Keating, would authorize the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, both of Massachusetts, to lease lands held in trust for up to 99 years, subject to approval by the Secretary of the Interior.

Congress has long recognized that Tribes need the ability to lease their lands to support housing, commercial activity, and community development. While the Indian Long-Term Leasing Act allows leasing of trust lands, longer lease terms have often required Tribe-specific legislation. Over time, Congress has granted 99-year leasing authority to a number of Tribes to accommodate long-term planning and investment.

H.R. 681 simply extends that same authority to these two Tribes in Massachusetts. The bill ensures these Tribes are treated consistently with others that have already received 99-year leasing authority.

By providing parity and leasing authority, H.R. 681 supports local economic planning and development and promotes fairness and opportunity for these Tribal communities while maintaining Federal oversight through secretarial approval.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 681, again, provides equal leasing authority to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, aligning them with the other Tribes that have already received 99-year leasing authority from Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 681, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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