Update: The House today passed the Tribal Law and Order Act as part of the Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act. “I introduced this bipartisan bill because of the urgent need to improve law enforcement in Indian Country. Native American families, like all families, deserve a basic sense of safety and security in their communities. I’m proud to pass the Tribal Law and Order Act through the House and send it to the President for his signature," Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-South Dakota) said in a statement.

Two former federal prosecutors who served during the Bush administration are lobbying for passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act

Troy Eid, the former U.S. Attorney for Colorado, and Thomas Heffelfinger, the former U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, say the bill will strengthen law enforcement in Indian Country. They say it helps federal prosecutors and tribal governments combat crime on reservations.

"Communities across Indian Country stand to gain from the prudent use of these enhanced tools to enforce the rule of law," the former prosecutors said in a letter to House leaders.

The bill is due for consideration on the House floor today.It will be considered under a "suspension" of the rules, according to the House Majority Leader.

The Senate passed the bill as an amendment to H.R.725, the Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act of 2010.

Eid was the first sitting U.S. Attorney to publicly call for restoration of tribal criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians. Heffelfinger was the former chair of the Native American Issues Subcommittee at the Department of Justice.

Tribal Law and Order Act:
S.797 | H.R.1924

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