FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kimberly Teehee (202) 225-3611
U.S. REPRESENTATIVES DALE E. KILDEE AND J.D. HAYWORTH, CO-CHAIRS OF THE
CONGRESSIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN CAUCUS, ANNOUNCE THAT
THE HOUSE VOTED TODAY TO STRIKE TWO ANTI-INDIAN PROVISIONS IN THE FY 2003
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS BILL
Today, U.S. Representatives Kildee (D-MI) and Hayworth (R-AZ), Co-chairs of the
Congressional Native American Caucus, led the fight today in a bi-partisan
manner to persuade Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to accept two
amendments that strike anti-Indian provisions from the FY 2003 Interior
Appropriations bill. The House voted to adopt the amendments striking the
offensive language.
Representative Nick Rahall (D-WV), Democratic Senior Member of the House
Resources Committee, offered one amendment with Representatives Kildee and
Hayworth cosponsoring the proposal. The Rahall/Kildee/Hayworth amendment strikes
language in the funding bill that would have limited the federal government's
accountability to American Indians by restricting an historical accounting of
Indian trust funds from the period of 1985 to 2000. This language would presume
that Indian trust fund records before 1985 were correct. House members voted to
approve the amendment by a vote of 281 - 144.
The second amendment sponsored by Representatives J.D. Hayworth and Kildee
strikes provisions that would have established a Commission to examine Native
American policy. Funding for the Commission would have come from the Bureau of
Indian Affairs--Operation of Indian programs which funds welfare assistance
payments, housing improvements, roads, education, tribal courts, law enforcement
and other programs that improve the quality of life and economic potential of
Indian reservations. The Hayworth/Kildee amendment passed the House by a vote of
273 - 151.
Of the victories, Representative Kildee said, "the vote today protected Indian
trust funds for which the U.S. government has a moral and legal responsibility
to manage. In addition, the House was able to show the Indian tribes today that
another federal study would not be imposed upon them that would have taken money
away from their real needs like education, housing, roads, law enforcement and
tribal courts."
Representative Hayworth said of the votes today, "the bipartisan message to
Washington on behalf of Indian Country was strong and clear: put 'trust' back in
Native American trust funds by making a full accounting, and honor tribal
sovereignty on gaming issues. I couldn't be more pleased on behalf of our tribal
nations with the overwhelming votes of support today."
Of the Native American Caucus, Representative Kildee said, "I'm happy that since
I founded the bipartisan Caucus five years ago, we've not lost a single
pro-Indian vote." The Vice-chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus,
Representatives Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Dave Camp (R-MI), also spoke in favor
of adoption of the amendments.
##
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My Prince is lost in the forest and too stubborn to ask for directions.
Contact: Kimberly Teehee (202) 225-3611
U.S. REPRESENTATIVES DALE E. KILDEE AND J.D. HAYWORTH, CO-CHAIRS OF THE
CONGRESSIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN CAUCUS, ANNOUNCE THAT
THE HOUSE VOTED TODAY TO STRIKE TWO ANTI-INDIAN PROVISIONS IN THE FY 2003
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS BILL
Today, U.S. Representatives Kildee (D-MI) and Hayworth (R-AZ), Co-chairs of the
Congressional Native American Caucus, led the fight today in a bi-partisan
manner to persuade Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to accept two
amendments that strike anti-Indian provisions from the FY 2003 Interior
Appropriations bill. The House voted to adopt the amendments striking the
offensive language.
Representative Nick Rahall (D-WV), Democratic Senior Member of the House
Resources Committee, offered one amendment with Representatives Kildee and
Hayworth cosponsoring the proposal. The Rahall/Kildee/Hayworth amendment strikes
language in the funding bill that would have limited the federal government's
accountability to American Indians by restricting an historical accounting of
Indian trust funds from the period of 1985 to 2000. This language would presume
that Indian trust fund records before 1985 were correct. House members voted to
approve the amendment by a vote of 281 - 144.
The second amendment sponsored by Representatives J.D. Hayworth and Kildee
strikes provisions that would have established a Commission to examine Native
American policy. Funding for the Commission would have come from the Bureau of
Indian Affairs--Operation of Indian programs which funds welfare assistance
payments, housing improvements, roads, education, tribal courts, law enforcement
and other programs that improve the quality of life and economic potential of
Indian reservations. The Hayworth/Kildee amendment passed the House by a vote of
273 - 151.
Of the victories, Representative Kildee said, "the vote today protected Indian
trust funds for which the U.S. government has a moral and legal responsibility
to manage. In addition, the House was able to show the Indian tribes today that
another federal study would not be imposed upon them that would have taken money
away from their real needs like education, housing, roads, law enforcement and
tribal courts."
Representative Hayworth said of the votes today, "the bipartisan message to
Washington on behalf of Indian Country was strong and clear: put 'trust' back in
Native American trust funds by making a full accounting, and honor tribal
sovereignty on gaming issues. I couldn't be more pleased on behalf of our tribal
nations with the overwhelming votes of support today."
Of the Native American Caucus, Representative Kildee said, "I'm happy that since
I founded the bipartisan Caucus five years ago, we've not lost a single
pro-Indian vote." The Vice-chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus,
Representatives Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Dave Camp (R-MI), also spoke in favor
of adoption of the amendments.
##
To unsubscribe from the Indian Trust mailing list, please click on the
following link (if available) or paste it into your browser:
http://www.indiantrust.com/unsubscribe.cfm
My Prince is lost in the forest and too stubborn to ask for directions.
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