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Indian and Insular Affairs

Bishop Statement on Report From GAO on Energy Development on Indian Lands

| Posted in Press Release

Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) today issued the following statement in response to a report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) titled, "Indian Energy Development: Poor Management by BIA Has Hindered Energy Development on Indian Lands." "This report is the latest black mark against the Bureau of Indian Affairs. By hindering energy development on Indian lands, the federal…

Bishop Slams Department of the Interior Over Tribal Recognition Rulemaking Process

| Posted in Press Release

On March 26, 2015, a bipartisan letter was sent to U.S.  Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell by Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT), Subcommittee Chairman Don Young (AK-at-large), Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), and Elizabeth H. Esty (D-CT) to express concern with proposed regulations governing tribal recognition (Part 83 of Title 25 of the Code…

AP: Lawmaker tells administration: Pull back Indian tribe rules

| Posted in In Case You Missed It

The chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee is demanding that the Obama administration hold off on new rules that could make it easier for Indian groups to win federal recognition as tribes. American Indians have been pushing for years to revise the process, but proposed regulations nearing the finish line have deeply divided existing tribes, and Congress. Rep. Rob Bishop,…

Bipartisan Congressional Leaders Urge Interior to Refrain on Tribal Status Modifications

| Posted in Press Release

House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular, and Alaska Native Affairs Don Young (R-AK), along with Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT), and Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) sent a letter today to Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, requesting that the Department refrain from issuing a final…

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…