WASHINGTON – In addition to the articles already covered by Native News Online, here’s a look at other news from Washington, D.C. recently impacting Indian Country.
Senate passes bills to promote economic development in Indian Country
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), vice chair of the committee, released the following statements on the Senate’s approval of three bills related to economic development in Indigenous communities across the country. The legislation passed unanimously after Schatz led an effort in the Senate to immediately consider the bills, which had stalled in the Senate after advancing out of committee. The bills now go to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.
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“These bills will help unlock economic development opportunities for Indigenous communities across the country,” said Chairman Schatz. “The passage of these bills builds on a historically productive period for the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, and I look forward to getting additional bills passed in the remaining weeks of this Congress.”
“As Indigenous-led tourism continues to develop nationwide, these changes to the NATIVE Act will help highlight the vibrancy and resilience of Indigenous cultures and traditions while promoting economic development. The UNLOCKED Act will provide Tribes with the certainty they need to better plan and implement economic development projects. Our bill will remove red tape so that the development opportunities provided by the bipartisan infrastructure bill can move forward without burdensome, unnecessary delays.” said Vice President Murkowski. “I am proud to have led these bills with my friend and partner, Chairman Schatz, and appreciate the support of my colleagues in the Senate.”
The following bills passed the U.S. Senate unanimously:
S. 385, introduced by Chairman Schatz and Vice Chairman Murkowski, makes technical corrections to the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act, which authorizes grants to Native American tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations for recreational travel and tourism activities. S. 1322, the Unlocking Native Lands and Opportunities for Commerce and Key Economic Developments Act, introduced by Chairman Schatz and Vice Chairman Lisa Murkowski, would allow Native American tribes to lease their lands for business and other purposes for up to 99 years, and certain rights of way on their land under existing law. S. 2868, introduced by Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) on behalf of the Lower Sioux Indian Community, repeals the Indian Reorganization Act, section 17, of the Tribe’s charter. The tribe previously testified before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee that the charter actively hinders its economic development as it cannot act without the approval of the Secretary of the Interior.
HUD hosts webinar on radon in tribal housing
The U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is hosting a webinar to provide an overview of radon, including what it is, what it does, how it is measured, and how exposure can be reduced. Speakers will share resources, including funding opportunities, so tribes can test and reduce radon. The webinar will feature speakers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Kansas State University Radon Program, the Institute of Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) and HUD. The webinar will be recorded and posted on Codetalk.
Background
Exposure to radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year. On January 11, 2024, HUD published its department policy for addressing radon in the environmental assessment process. This policy requires that radon be considered in all HUD environmental assessments. The policy will go into effect in January 2026 for Tribes, Tribally Designated Housing Entities and Department of Hawaiian Homelands.
Register here for this.
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