Legislative Update

DOI Secretary Identifies Native Priorities
   Sec'y of Interior Sally Jewell, testifying before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, continues the agency's calls for Congress to come
posted 5/17/13 10:27 AM  read complete story

Senate Approves Water Resources Development Bill with Tribal Provisions
   The Senate easily approves legislation, S 601, which authorizes a variety of water resources projects by the Army Corp of Engineers, and includes a number of tribal-related provisions. Highlights include: Authorizing cooperative agreements with Columbia River Basin Indian tribes to carry out...
posted 5/17/13 09:59 AM  read complete story

The Week on the Hill: May 13
   The Week on the Hill: May 13
posted 5/17/13 09:40 AM  read complete story

House Committee Approves Farm Bill
   The House Agriculture Committee approves a bipartisan farm bill that differs from the Senate version mainly in calling for more spending cuts, particularly in the area of food assistance programs.
posted 5/17/13 08:44 AM  read complete story

Senate Farm Bill Moves to the Floor
   The Senate now has a farm bill to consider. S 954 was approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee, and reauthorizes billions of dollars for most agricultural, rural development/housing and nutrition programs, many of which are open to tribes and Native American communities. Highlights include:...
posted 5/15/13 8:49 PM  read complete story

GOP, Interior Officials Disagree over Republican Tribal Energy Development Bill
   The House subcommittee on Indian Affairs -- whose chairman, Rep. Don Young (R-AK), has introduced legislation (HR 1548) to promote energy development on Indian lands -- hears from Michael Black, director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, on problems the administration has with the bill.
posted 5/3/13 12:06 PM  read complete story

Is ACA in Trouble in Congress?
   After the Supreme Court narrowly upheld the constitutionality of most of the Affordable Care Act, it was assumed that – with President Obama winning a second term and Democrats controlling the Senate – the debate over the Affordable Care Act would die down, at least for a few years. That's not the case
posted 4/25/13 7:20 PM  read complete story

Legislative Best Bets
   NAR focuses on those bills which – unlike more than 90% of measures introduced – actually have a chance of passage
posted 4/22/13 2:29 PM  read complete story

Another Attempt to Promote Native Energy Development
   Rep. Don Young (R-AK), introduces H.R. 1548, designed to promote energy development on Indian lands by reducing federal regulations that impede such development
posted 4/17/13 8:52 PM  read complete story

Mental Health Funding Bill Has BIpartisan Chance; Tribes Would Be Eligible for Millions
   That's why it's noteworthy that a bipartisan bill, S 689, designed to improve federal mental health grant programs and services, was easily approved by the Senate Education and Health Committee
posted 4/12/13 12:38 PM  read complete story