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Empowering Tribes and Territories

Members Unveil Bills to Settle Utah Monument Controversy

| Posted in Press Release

Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT), Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) and Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) unveiled the Shash Jáa and Indian Creek National Monuments Act and the Grand Staircase-Escalante Enhancement Act.  The bills, co-sponsored by Rep. Mia Love (R-UT), codify in law requirements for local input in the management of President Trump’s…

Leaders and Experts on Indian Country Issues Express Support for Bill to Advance Tribal Self-Determination, Sovereignty

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs held a legislative hearing on H.R. 215, the “American Indian Empowerment Act of 2017.” Introduced by Chairman Emeritus Don Young (R-AK), the bill authorizes federally recognized tribes to lease and regulate their own lands and eliminate federal government restrictions that interfere with economic development. “Today’s…

Bishop Statement on Nomination of Tara Sweeney to Be Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs

| Posted in Press Release

Yesterday, President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Tara Sweeney to be Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs within the Department of the Interior. Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) released the following statement: “Tara Sweeney is a superb choice with decades of experience empowering Indian and Alaska Native communities in the private sector. This nomination signifies the…

Administration, Bipartisan Members Outline Support for Bishop’s Tribal Recognition Act

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs held a legislative hearing on H.R. 3744, Chairman Rob Bishop’s (R-UT) “Tribal Recognition Act of 2017.” “The Department of the Interior appreciates the Chairman’s work on this important issue and supports the goals of improving the overall administrative recognition process as reflected in H.R. 3744,” Principal Deputy…

Bishop Introduces Tribal Recognition Act of 2017

| Posted in Press Release

On Tuesday, Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) introduced H.R. 3744, the “Tribal Recognition Act of 2017.”  The bill restores the constitutional framework to tribal recognition authorities vested with Congress under Article I. Chairman Bishop issued the following statement: “The constitutional authority to recognize tribal status is vested with Congress, not the executive. Congress bears the…

Bishop Statement on Rescindment of Federal Coal, Oil and Gas Valuation Rule

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the Department of the Interior (DOI) rescinded the Office of Natural Resources Revenue’s (ONRR) “Consolidated Federal Oil & Gas and Federal & Indian Coal Valuation Rule.” Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement: “This rescindment is another important step by the Trump administration to position Interior as a facilitator of responsible energy development. I…

Panel: Trio of Bills Empower Tribes and Alaska Natives

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs held a legislative hearing on a series of bills that would empower Indian and Alaska Native communities to direct their own affairs. They place decision-making power in the hands of those most qualified to make decisions on local issues: the tribes and communities themselves. H.R. 1074 repeals a previous act of Congress…