Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act of 2013

Floor Speech

The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3590) to protect and enhance opportunities for recreational hunting, fishing, and shooting, and for other purposes:

Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the amendment offered by Chairman HASTINGS. This important amendment includes a provision protecting the hunting, fishing and related treaty rights of all federally recognized tribes with respect to the provisions of H.R. 3590.

Treaties are at the foundation of the government-to-government relationship between the United States and Indian tribes. Throughout the history of this country, tribal governments signed hundreds of treaties with the United States, often ceding significant portions of their homelands. Many of these treaties included provisions in which the United States made solemn promises to secure and protect the important hunting and fishing rights as well as other rights to sustain Indian people. As we pass laws that affect federal lands, it is important that we ensure the continued treaty rights of all federally recognized Indian tribes.

Rights emanating from treaties between Indian tribes and the United States apply to all federally recognized tribes, whether they were recognized by treaty, an act of Congress, administratively or through a court settlement. This amendment to H.R. 3590 would make it clear in the legislation that the treaty rights, including treaty hunting and fishing rights, and other rights of all federally recognized tribes are preserved and not affected by the other provisions of this legislation. I urge your support for this amendment.

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