By unanimous consent, the Senate passed H.R.725, the Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act of 2010, on Wednesday after including the Tribal Law and Order Act in the bill.

H.R.725 strengthens the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 by allowing "any" federal law enforcement officer to investigate suspected violations of the law. Currently, only the FBI can investigate.

The Senate already passed S.151, its version of the bill, last July but decided to take up the House version yesterday. The move led to the adoption of S.AMDT.4391, otherwise known as S.797, the Tribal Law and Order Act.

S.797 strengthen law and order on reservations and in Alaska Native villages. It encourages more prosecution of crime in Indian Country, increases penalties for reservation offenders, reauthorizes key programs and establishes consistent protocols to address sexual violence.

The House would apparently have to concur with the Senate amendment before the bill is sent to President Barack Obama for his signature. Obama supports the Tribal Law and Order Act.

Tribal Law and Order Act Stories:
Patrice Kunesh: Action needed on Tribal Law and Order Act (5/10)
House committee holds hearing on Law and Order (12/10)
Dorgan praises Obama support on Law and Order (11/3)
Tribal Law and Order Act ready for Senate floor (9/11)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee approves bills (9/11)
Editorial: Obama should back Tribal Law and Order (9/4)
State opposes Alaska Native provisions in bill (8/7)
Senate Indian Affairs hearing on Law and Order (6/25)
Witness list for hearing on Law and Order Act (6/24)
In The Hoop: Uhh, good luck with that testimony... (6/24)
Senate Indian Affairs hearing on Law and Order (6/22)
Indian Affairs hearing on Law and Order Act (6/18)
Tribal law and order bill introduced in Senate (4/6)

Indian Arts and Crafts Act Stories:
House approves update to Indian Arts and Crafts Act (1/21)
Audio: House Resources Committee opens markup (12/16)
House panel to consider Indian arts, Hawaiian bill (12/15)
Markup session includes Indian Arts and Crafts Act (12/9)
Audio: House hearing on Indian Arts and Crafts Act (12/2)
Witness List: House hearing on Indian Arts and Crafts (12/1)
House Resources hearing on Indian Arts and Crafts (11/30)