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Davids Votes to Pass Tribal Recognition, Land Into Trust, and Health Legislation

November 2, 2021

This week, in the first days of Native American Heritage Month, Representative Sharice Davids voted to pass eight bills that respond to and address various Tribal issues, including federal recognition of Tribes, placing tribal land into trust, and conferring with Urban Indian Organizations on health policy. Davids, who serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus, is a co-sponsor of the Urban Indian Health Confer Act, which passed with strong bipartisan support.

"What better way for Congress to kick off Native American Heritage Month than with action—not just words," said Davids. "I'm proud to see legislation I co-sponsored, the Urban Indian Health Confer Act, pass along with several other important bills, including placing Tribal land into trust for several federally recognized Tribes. This slate of bills confirms the federal government's trust responsibility and commitment to Tribal sovereignty and self-determination."

The bills passed this week include:

  1. H.R. 1619 – Catawba Indian Nation Lands Act

This bill ratifies the actions of the Department of the Interior to take into trust land in Cleveland County, North Carolina, for the benefit of the Catawba Indian Nation, as part of the Catawba Reservation, subject to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. PASSED 361-55, 3 P, 12 NV

  1. H.R. 2758 – Lumbee Recognition Act

This bill amends existing law to extend federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, authorize its members to be eligible for services and benefits, and authorize the Tribe to have land taken into trust. PASSED 357-59, 1 P, 14 NV

  1. H.R. 1975 – Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2021

This bill directs the Department of the Interior to take approximately 721.12 acres of land in San Diego County, California, into trust for the benefit of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, if the tribe transfers title to that land to the United States. The bill prohibits gaming on the transferred land and makes it part of the Pala Indian Reservation. PASSED 397-25

  1. H.R. 5221 – Urban Indian Health Confer Act (Davids is a co-sponsor)

This bill requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to confer with Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) on health care policies and initiatives for American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban areas. PASSED 406-17

  1. H.R. 3616 – Bear River National Heritage Area Study Act

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating certain land in Utah and Idaho as the Bear River National Heritage Area. PASSED 399-23

  1. S. 108 – To authorize the Seminole Tribe of Florida to lease or transfer certain land, and for other purposes

This bill clarifies that the Seminole Tribe of Florida has the authority to lease, sell, convey, warrant, or otherwise transfer their interests in property not held in trust by the federal government without further approval from the federal government. PASSED 425-2

  1. H.R. 4881 – Old Pascua Community Land Acquisition Act

This bill authorizes the United States to take into trust, on behalf of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, land in Tucson within the boundaries of the "Pascua Yaqui Tribe—State of Arizona Amended and Restated Gaming Compact." PASSED 375-45, 1 P

  1. H.R. 2088 – Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

This bill takes specified lands and easements in Monroe County, Tennessee, into trust for the use and benefit of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to provide support for cultural programming. The bill outlines the Tennessee Valley Authority's continuing responsibilities, including those related to environmental remediation, and prohibits gaming on these lands. PASSED 407-16