Lame Duck Congress Moving on Indian Country's Top Legislative Priorities

Native News Network Staff in Native Briefs. Discussion »

WASHINGTON – Right now, two of Indian Country's top legislative priorities, the Carcieri fix legislation and the tribal provisions of the Violence Against Women Act, hang in the balance as members of the Senate and House consider legislation in the Lame Duck session. Both items have a real chance of passage, but Indian country needs to step up and make our voice heard.

Lame Duck Congress Our Tribal Economies are Facing Some of the Greatest Challenges

The National Congress of American Indians is calling on all of Indian country to help push these legislative priorities over the finish line. It's up to you – tribal leaders, advocates, and citizens of Indian Country to send a clear message to members of Congress - secure our tribal nations, secure our economies, and protect our Native women.

Act Right Now in Support of Clean Carcieri Fix! Send this message right now – "Protect and secure our tribal economies"

Here's why Indian country is supporting this legislation:

Indian country supports the bipartisan effort to pass a motion to proceed and move to a cloture vote on Wednesday.
Indian country's economies are not secure and face incredible challenges. This is a tribal economic development bill that will cost the government absolutely nothing.
The bill restores the Department of Interior's authority to take land into trust for all federally recognized Indian tribes.
Our tribal economies are facing some of the greatest challenges in our country and this legislation provides a pathway for all federally recognized tribes to strengthen and diversify our tribal economies – energy development, economic development, and cultural protection.

Tribal Provisions of the Violence Against Women Act

During the past year, our collective work ensured that the Senate passed a bipartisan, tribal-inclusive and survivor-focused Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA). Yet, VAWA has remained stalled since before the November elections.

In the coming days or weeks, there is a real possibility that VAWA legislation agreed to by the Senate and House could come up for a vote.

It's up to Indian Country to help get VAWA across the finish line before the end of the year!

Please contact your members of Congress immediately and remind them just how important the tribal jurisdictional provisions of VAWA are.

Urge your Senators and Representatives to call on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the House John Boehner, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith to pass VAWA with comprehensive tribal provisions.

Make the Call: Tribal Provisions in VAWA!

Link to the talking points and call script to refine your message to Congress and to help them understand the Senate tribal provisions.

NOW IS THE TIME TO SPEAK UP! Urge your members of Congress to work with the Senate and House leadership to include the tribal jurisdictional provisions in any final VAWA bill.

Additional Information about the Legislation

The bipartisan Senate version of the bill, S. 1925, contains Section 904, which is a provision that would restore tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians for certain crimes of domestic violence and dating violence committed in Indian country. Section 904 is broadly supported by Indian tribes across the country.

However, the House passed version, HR 4970, does not include the tribal criminal jurisdiction piece, and some members of Congress have stated objections to it. In fact, VAWA may move during the Lame Duck session but sources have told us that some leaders in the House are refusing to let VAWA proceed unless the tribal jurisdictional provisions are completely removed. VAWA is at a critical juncture and we need your help!

Senate & House Directories

Link to Senate directory

Link to House directory

posted November 27, 2012 11:10 am est