Legislation

House committee markup for Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act

Monday, July 20, 2015

Jefferson Keel, the lieutenant governor of the Chickasaw Nation, testifies at hearing on H.R.511, the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act, on June 16, 2015. Photo from House Committee on Education and the Workforce / Twitter

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce will hold a markup this Wednesday on H.R.511, the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act.

The bill exempts tribes from the National Labor Relations Act. It prevents the National Labor Relations Board from asserting jurisdiction at tribal casinos across the nation.

“This is as about as clear an issue as I’ve ever seen,” said Rep. David Roe (R-Tennessee), the chairman of the the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions, said at a hearing on the measure on June 16. “Either you’re sovereign or you’re not."

Indianz.Com SoundCloud: Hearing on H.R. 511, Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015

The bill enjoys broad support throughout Indian Country, with tribes and Indian organizations calling for its passage. Unlike years past, Democrats have not expressed significant opposition despite strong alliances with labor unions that oppose it.

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee approved S.248, its version of the bill, on June 10. It has not been brought up for consideration on the Senate floor.

Wednesday's markup takes place at 10am in Room 2175 of the Rayburn House Office Building. H.R.511 is the only item on the agenda.

Committee Notice:
H.R. 511, "Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015" (July 22, 2015)