Barrasso, Tester Introduce Bipartisan Department of the Interior Tribal Self-Governance Act of 2015

Statement

U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Jon Tester (D-MT), Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, recently introduced the bipartisan Department of the Interior Tribal Self-Governance Act of 2015 (S. 286). The bill amends the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act and streamlines the self-governance process, making it easier and more efficient for tribes to carry out Federal programs available to them.

"Self-determination and self-governance helps promote local tribal decision-making for important programs that affect their communities," said Chairman Barrasso. "For years, tribes have faced bureaucratic roadblocks when trying to implement these programs. By making key improvements to the way self-governance works in the Department of the Interior, this bill gives tribes the tools they need to tailor Federal programs to the needs of their local communities."

"Time and again we've seen that tribal leaders and councils who are elected to serve their communities are best equipped to help folks on the ground. This bill gives tribal governments the flexibility they need for greater self-governance so they can address the unique needs of their tribes. Indian Country deserves our full support for this bill," Vice Chairman Jon Tester said.

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