Senate panel tackles crime issues in Indian Country

Law | Politics

Friday, June 20, 2008

INDIANZ.COM LISTENING LOUNGE
Senate Indian Affairs Committee business meeting and hearing on a draft bill to address law and order in Indian Country. June 19, 2008.
• Opening Statements | Business Meeting

• Additional Opening Statements | Sen. John Thune Testimony

• Panel 1 - Testimony | Q&A

• Webcast | Written Testimony

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing on Thursday on a draft bill that seeks to address law and order issues in Indian Country.

The bipartisan bill was written in response to high rates of violent crime against American Indians and Alaska Natives and high rates of violence against Native women Committee members described the situation as a public safety crisis.

Tribal witnesses agreed with the assessment. But they said the bill was missing key components -- funding and tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians.

As part of the hearing record, the committee agreed to include a long-delayed report on the conditions of reservation jails. Six bills were also approved at a business meeting.

Get the Story:
Crime on reservation scrutinized (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 6/20)
Senate bill aims to reduce tribal crime (AP 6/20)

Committee Notice:
BUSINESS MEETING to consider pending legislative issues, to be followed immediately by a HEARING on a draft bill to address law and order in Indian country. (June 19, 2008)