Sen. John Barrasso: Getting Washington out of Indian Country


Indianz.Com SoundCloud: Senate Indian Affairs Committee Hearing October 21, 2015

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), the chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, calls on tribes to support S.209, the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments, to bring more employment and economic development to Indian Country:
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has held several hearings on economic development-related topics including entrepreneurship, energy development and access to capital. The committee recently held a listening session on taxation issues facing Indian Country. We’ve also held four field hearings to better understand the unique challenges for tribes in Wyoming, Montana, Oklahoma and Alaska.

While it is important that the committee get out of Washington and get to Indian Country, we also need to get Washington out of Indian Country.

That means simplifying federal regulations and increasing local control. This will help to empower—not hinder—tribal self-governance and prosperity.

The first bill I introduced as chairman was the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act. This legislation will empower tribes to develop their own energy resources on their lands.

It will also streamline certain approvals of many energy development transactions, such as business agreements, right-of-ways and leases on Indian lands.

More energy development means more jobs. It means more money for tribal communities and more American energy contributing to our energy security.

Get the Story:
Sen. John Barrasso: Getting Washington Out of Indian Country (Indian Country Today 11/20)

Committee Notice:
Oversight Hearing on “The GAO Report on ‘INDIAN ENERGY DEVELOPMENT: Poor Management by BIA Has Hindered Development on Indian Lands.’” (October 21, 2015)

Government Accountability Office Report:
Indian Energy Development: Poor Management by BIA Has Hindered Energy Development on Indian Lands (June 2015)

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