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Senate Indian Affairs Committee passes bills
Wednesday, June 29, 2005

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a meeting this morning to consider pending business [Agenda].

A large number of bills, including some high-profile ones, were considered. They included the U.S. apology resolution, the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians trust land bill and the "revolving door" bill that Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), the committee chairman, introduced on Monday.

The committee passed every measure by a voice vote. The only exception was the Lytton Band bill, which was subject to a recorded vote, as requested by Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii).

The clerk called the roll and the vote was 9 to 3 in favor of the bill. Joining McCain in voting yes were Sens. Craig Thomas (R-Wyoming), Gordon Smith (R-Oregon), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma), Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota) and Maria Cantwell (D-Washington).

Only Inouye, Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) voted no. Sen. Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) was not present to vote and did not send a proxy.

Sen. Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico) arrived after the vote and McCain allowed him to vote yes, making the roll call 10 to 3. The bill requires the tribe to go through the two-part determination process before conducting gaming on land held in trust in downtown San Pablo, California.

The meeting began at 9:30am and was not broadcast online. Here is the list of bills that were considered and approved. More information about the bills and the meeting will be online tomorrow.

S.J.Res. 15 A bill to acknowledge a long history of official depredations and ill-conceived policies by the United States Government regarding Indian tribes and offer an apology to all Native Peoples on behalf of the United States.
• Senate committee debates U.S. apology resolution (05/26)

S. 374 A bill to provide compensation to the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Sioux Tribes of South Dakota for damage to tribal land caused by Pick-Sloan projects along the Missouri River.
• Bill would add $226M to tribal trust accounts (01/24)

S. 113 A bill to modify the date as of which certain tribal land of the Lytton Rancheria is deemed to be held in trust.
• BIA backs bill to delay off-reservation casino (04/06)

S. 881 A bill to compensate the Spokane Tribe of Indians for the use of tribal land for the production of hydropower by the Grand Coulee Dam, and for other purposes.

S. 449 A bill to facilitate shareholder consideration of proposals to make Settlement Common Stock under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act available to missed enrollees, eligible elders, and persons born after Dec. 18, 1971, and for other purposes.

H.R. 797 (S. 475) A bill to amend the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 and other Acts to improve housing programs for Indians.

H.R. 680 (S. 623) A bill to direct the Secretary of Interior to convey certain land held in trust for the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah to the City of Richfield, Utah and for other purposes.

S. 598 A bill to reauthorize provisions in the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 relating to Native Hawaiian low-income housing and Federal loan guarantees for Native Hawaiian housing.

S. 1291 A bill to condemn certain subsurface rights to land held in trust by the State of Arizona, and convey subsurface rights held by BLM, for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.

S. 1295 A bill to authorize funding for the National Indian Gaming Commission.
• Senate panel urged to move with caution on gaming (04/28)

S. 1239 A bill to authorize the use of Indian Health Service funds to pay Medicare Part D premiums on behalf of Indians.

S. 1231 A bill to provide initial funding for the National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education previously established by Congress.
• Bush blasted on Indian education at hearing (6/17)

S. 1312 A bill to require former federal employees who are employed by tribes to adhere to conflicts of interest laws.
• McCain targets revolving door practice among lobbyists (6/28)