Gosar Introduces Bill Aimed at Repairing U.S. Relationship with Native American Tribes

Press Release

Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) introduced the American Indian Trust Responsibility Review Act (H.R.4388). This bipartisan legislation will, for the first time since the 1970s, provide a comprehensive overview of the unique trust relationship between the United States and American Indian tribes. Original co-sponsors of Rep. Gosar's legislation include Native American Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK) and Betty McCollum (D-MN) as well as Reps. Steve Daines (R-MT), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Matt Salmon (R-AZ), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Don Young (R-AK), Scott Tipton (R-CO), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Mike Honda (D-CA), John Carney (D-DE), Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), and Del. Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS).

The review established by this bill will allow Congress to exercise oversight over the Executive Branch and provide a blueprint for better administration of the trust relationship with federally recognized tribes as well as for pursuing policies that allow tribes maximum self-determination.

After introducing the bill, Rep. Gosar said, "Over the years, the trust relationship between the United States and American Indian tribes has eroded. The comprehensive review established by my legislation will help us start to repair this sacred relationship."

H.R.4388 is supported by the National Congress of American Indians, United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc, National Indian Education Association, Cherokee Nation, Oneida Indian Nation of New York, Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Gila River Indian Community, and the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona.

In the National Congress of American Indians' endorsement letter, Executive Director Jacqueline Pata said: "On behalf of the National Congress of American Indians, the oldest and largest organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments, I would first like to thank you for your willingness to address a very important issue in Indian Country: the need for an updated review of United States' trust responsibility to American Indians and Alaska Natives. Nearly 40 years after the first review of the trust responsibility it is time for Congress to reassess the state of the trust responsibility."

In the Cherokee Nation's endorsement letter, Principal Chief Bill John Baker said: "Educating others about who American Indians are and the struggles many of us face is the largest issue that Indian Country faces today. It is through leadership like yours that American Indians continue to stay strong throughout this great country."

In the Gila River Indian Community's endorsement letter, Governor Gregory Mendoza stated, "The trust relationship may be historically rooted in the Constitution of the United States but it is a living, breathing principle of federal-tribal relations that has eveolved dramatically not just over centuries but in the past decades and years...This bill would address the need for a better understanding of what is necessary for the Executive and Congress to better administer their trust responsibilities."

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