NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Chairman Don Young (AK-at-large)

The Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs oversees all matters regarding Native Americans, including the 566 federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native Corporations, and nearly 1.9 million American Indians. Republicans on the Natural Resources Committee are working to ensure freedom and economic development opportunity for Indian tribes across the country.

Did You Know?

• The Department of Interior holds 56 million acres of land in trust for the benefit of Indian tribes and individual Indians.
• Some experts estimate that up to 10 percent of the nation’s untapped energy resources (including oil, gas, coal, wind, and solar) lie under or on tribal lands.
• According to the Department of the Interior, the production of energy and mineral resources in 2007 generated $524 million in royalty revenue paid to Indian individuals and Tribes. These resources are critical not only for national energy security, but for the generation of jobs, royalties, and other benefits for members of the tribes that own the energy.
• All 10.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil in the 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge can be produced utilizing just 2,000 acres of surface land throughout the whole 1.5 million-acre area.

Membership:

The Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs consists of 12 Members, 7 Republicans and 5 Democrats.

Don Young Chairman Alaska, At-large Dan Benishek Michigan, 1st District Paul Gosar Arizona, 4th District Markwayne Mullin Oklahoma, 2nd District Steve Daines Montana, At-large Kevin Cramer North Dakota, At-large Doug LaMalfa California, 1st District Doc Hastings Washington, 4th District Ex-officio

Colleen Hanabusa Ranking Member Hawaii, 1st District Tony Cardenas California, 29th District Raul Ruiz California, 36th District Eni F.H. Faleomavaega American Samoa, At-large Raúl M. Grijalva Arizona, 7th District Edward J. Markey Massachusetts, 7th District Ex-officio

Jurisdiction of the Subcommittee:

• Measures relating to the welfare of Native Americans, including management of Indian lands in general and special measures relating to claims which are paid out of Indian funds.
• All matters regarding the relations of the United States with Native Americans and Native American tribes, including special oversight functions under House Rule X.
• All matters regarding Native Alaskans.
• All matters related to the Federal trust responsibility to Native Americans and the sovereignty of Native Americans.

Referred Legislation:

• Legislation Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs (THOMAS Search)