Representatives Haaland and Young`s Legislation to Bolster Self-Governance, Empower Tribes Passes House, Goes to the President`s Desk
(WorldNews Environment)

Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 209, the PROGRESS for Indian Tribes Act. This legislation, sponsored in the House by Congressman Don Young (R-AK), Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-NM), and Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK), and Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), enhances the ability of tribes to enter into, and carry out, compacting agreements. It also aligns the Department of the Interior`s (DOI) compacting approval process with the one currently used by the Indian Health Service (IHS) to improve consistency for tribes. These compacts are vital for upholding the federal government`s trust responsibilities with tribes and promoting self-governance and local...