A Republican who voted against the Tribal Law and Order Act says Democrats insulted Indian Country by refusing to allow debate on the bill.

Tribal leaders, law enforcement authorities and advocates for Indian women overwhelmingly supported the bill. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee conducted over a dozen hearings and listening sessions on the issue and President Barack Obama endorsed it last year at the White House Tribal Nations Conference.

But Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colorado) voted against the Tribal Law and Order Act anyway. He called it a "bloated spending bill."

“The Senate version addresses serious issues of crime and violence on Indian reservations, which I believe deserve to be heard by committees and given a fair and open debate on the House Floor,” Lamborn wrote in an email to The Colorado Independent. “Instead, House Democrats brought the bloated spending bill up for a vote, without any debate, under a procedure that is typically used for naming post offices. I believe this showed disrespect to the very real problems facing Native Americans.”

A check of Thomas shows that Lanborn has not introduced any bills to address Indian Country law enforcement during the 111th Congress. About one-third of his bills address non-legislative matters.

In total, 92 Republicans voted against the bill.

Get the Story:
Overdue Indian crime bill passes without support of Colo. Republicans (The Colorado Independent 7/28)
Bachmann votes against act to help Native American police combat rape ‘epidemic’ (The Minnesota Independent 7/28)

Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act:
H.R.725

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

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