Skip to Content

Indian and Insular Affairs

Chairman Bishop Letter to Secretary of the Department of the Interior Sally Jewell for Cooperation in Evaluating the Procedures Used for Acknowledging Tribal Status

| Posted in Letters

TO: The Honorable Sally Jewell FROM: Rob Bishop, Chairman Dear Madam Secretary: We are writing to request your cooperation in evaluating the procedures used for acknowledging tribal status and the impacts of modifying the regulations governing such determinations. The Department of the Interior has published proposed regulations to modify the tribal acknowledgment regulations set…

Keep the Promise Act of 2015 (H.R. 308)

| Posted in Committee Votes

​Reporting H.R. 308 Out of Committee (Approved by Voice Vote) To prohibit gaming activities on certain Indian lands in Arizona until the expiration of certain gaming compacts. ​Grijalva of Arizona 024 Amendment (Failed 10-21. View Roll Call Vote) * For complete legislative action for the March 25, 2015 Full Committee Markup, click here.

Native American Children Safety Act (H.R. 1168)

| Posted in Committee Votes

​Reporting H.R. 1168 Out of Committee (Approved by Unanimous Consent) Amends the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act to prohibit the final approval of any foster care placement or a foster care license from being issued until the tribal social services agency: (1) completes a criminal records check of each covered individual who resides in the household or is…

House Committee on Natural Resources Announces Hearing Schedule for March 2015

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources announced its hearing schedule for the month of March 2015.  Hearing Details:  Tuesday, March 17, 2015 10:00AM 1324 Longworth HOB Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources “Examining the Spending Priorities and Missions of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement…

Chairman Bishop Letter to Attorney General, Interior Secretary on Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreements

| Posted in Letters

February 26, 2015 TO: The Honorable Eric Holder and The Honorable Sally Jewell FROM: Rob Bishop, Chairman Dear Mr. Attorney General and Madame Secretary: The House Natural Resources Committee (Committee) has primary authorizing jurisdiction over the legislative resolution of Indian water rights claims within the House of Representatives.  Additionally, given the longstanding…

Witnesses Agree on the Need for Increased Tribal Self-Governance

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs held a legislative hearing on H.R. 4350, the Northern Cheyenne Lands Act, and H.R. 409, the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act. These two bills would allow for increased tribal control of trust assets and fulfill a long-standing federal promise to the Northern Cheyenne Tribe in Montana. “Unemployment rates on…

Witnesses Agree on the Need for Tribal Involvement in Cobell Settlement’s Land Buy-Back Program

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs held an oversight hearing entitled, “Implementing the Cobell Settlement: Missed Opportunities and Lessons Learned.” This hearing examined the delays and uncertainty in the land buyback program authorized as part of the Cobell Settlement. The Cobell Settlement provided for the resolution of individual…