Chair Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.)

The Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs oversees matters related to American Indian, Alaska Native, and Insular federal law and policy.

The subcommittee oversees most policies regarding Native Americans, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. The United States recognizes 574 federally recognized Indian tribes, creating a government-to-government relationship with each tribe.

The current federal policy of self-determination has enabled many tribes to take on many programs, functions, services, and activities previously provided directly by federal agencies. The committee will continue to work with tribes and tribal leaders to improve self-determination policies benefiting tribes and tribal members, especially regarding health care, public safety, and diversified economic development in tribal communities.

For Insular Affairs, the subcommittee oversees policies regarding the U.S. territories of American Samoa, the Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as the Compact of Free Association agreements with the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands—referred collectively as the Freely Associated States (FAS).  

Jurisdiction of the Subcommittee:

• All matters related to the Federal trust responsibility to Native Americans and the sovereignty of Native Americans.  
• Measures relating to the welfare of Native Americans, including management of Indian lands in general and special measures relating to claims that are paid out of Indian funds.
• All matters regarding Native Alaskans.
• 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 Hawaiians. 
  
• All matters regarding insular areas of the United States. 
• All measures or matters regarding the Freely Associated States. 
• General and continuing oversight and investigative authority over activities, policies, and programs within the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.

Membership: