United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is a standing committee of the United States Senate with jurisdiction over matters related to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. It oversees the implementation of the federal trust responsibility and reviews legislation, federal programs, and policies affecting Indian Country. The committee also conducts oversight of agencies such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service.

History

The committee's origins trace back to 1820 with the creation of a select committee to handle issues pertaining to Native American tribes and the United States Department of War. This early body was often preoccupied with matters of Indian removal and treaty negotiations. Following periods of dormancy, a modern Select Committee on Indian Affairs was re-established in 1977, largely through the advocacy of senators like James Abourezk of South Dakota. This was made a permanent standing committee by S. Res. 71 during the 103rd United States Congress in 1993, a move championed by Daniel Inouye of Hawaii and John McCain of Arizona, solidifying its role in the Senate's legislative structure.

Jurisdiction and responsibilities

The committee's jurisdiction is broad, encompassing all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, and matters relating to Indian affairs. Its specific responsibilities include the oversight of all matters pertaining to the federal trust responsibility to Indian tribes, the administration of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the management of Indian lands. It also oversees programs related to Native American education, economic development, and healthcare, particularly those administered by the Indian Health Service. Furthermore, the committee reviews matters related to Native Hawaiian organizations and the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

Membership

For the 118th United States Congress, the committee comprises 14 members, with a partisan ratio generally reflecting that of the full Senate. The chair is Brian Schatz, a Democrat from Hawaii, and the ranking member is Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska. Other notable members have included John Barrasso of Wyoming, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, one of the few enrolled tribal members, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, to serve in the Congress.

Subcommittees

The committee does not currently maintain any permanent subcommittees. However, it has the authority to establish ad hoc subcommittees for specific purposes, such as investigative hearings or to delve deeply into particular issues like Indian water rights, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crises, or oversight of the Indian Child Welfare Act. In the past, it has operated subcommittees focused on areas including Native American education and Indian economic development.

Chairpersons

Since becoming a standing committee in 1993, chairpersons have alternated with changes in Senate control. Key chairs have included Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), John McCain (R-Arizona), Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), and Jon Tester (D-Montana). The current chair, Brian Schatz, assumed the position in 2021.

Legislative activity

The committee is instrumental in crafting and advancing legislation critical to Indian Country. Major laws originating from or shepherded by the committee include the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and the Tribal Law and Order Act. It regularly holds hearings on pressing issues such as tribal sovereignty, Indian health care disparities, Native American voting rights, and the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic in tribal communities. Its work often involves close consultation with tribal leaders and organizations.