Tribal Affairs
More on Tribal Affairs
BIG Update
Just days after the two-year anniversary of Hamas’ abhorrent attack on Israel, there was an agreement reached on a peace deal between Israel and Hamas is a great step towards lasting peace in the region. I’m grateful the Trump Administration never gave up in their efforts to end the violence and release the hostages. Leading with peace through strength delivers real results. This is a historic peace deal.
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Congressional Republicans and President Trump have made historic progress in securing the southern border. Border crossings of illegal immigrants are at a record low, and the One Big Beautiful Bill provided funds to finish the border wall and hire thousands more immigration enforcement officials.
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) urged Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Department of Government Efficiency Chair Elon Musk to examine the waste, fraud, and abuse of funds for Indian country. Many healthcare, education, and law enforcement facilities in Indian country are not receiving the necessary funds for upkeep and operations.
Washington, D.C. – The Center for Effective Lawmaking named U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) the most effective House member on Native American issues and third most effective on Transportation issues during the 118th Congress.
“South Dakota knows the importance of transportation and Native policies,” said Johnson. “I’m proud to receive these rankings and deliver real results for my constituents. The 119th Congress is off to a strong start, and I’m determined to keep up the good work.”
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act to advocate for homeownership and streamline the approval process for mortgages on tribal trust land. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Kim Schrier (D-WA) and U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) reintroduced the Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act, legislation to require the Indian Health Service (IHS) to reimburse tribal members for care sought outside of IHS in a timely manner.
BIG Update
School conditions are dire in Indian country. For years, they haven’t received the funding they need, and now, unfortunately, schools are riddled with leaky roofs, broken heaters, mold, and more. Congress and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) must do better to uphold our trust and treaty obligations to tribes.
Washington, D.C. – The House Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight hearing on the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) recently requested the committee hold a hearing to discuss BIE failures. Johnson introduced Cecilia Fire Thunder of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and attested to the dire state of Indian education in South Dakota and the need for improvements.
BIG Update
Earlier this week, President Trump signed into law the Laken Riley Act which makes it easier to deport illegal immigrants with a criminal record. This was the first bill Trump signed into law during his second term which had broad support from Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate.
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Every year, thousands of babies are born alive after a failed attempted abortion, however, they don’t all receive care they need to survive. It’s truly tragic. This week, I voted to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to require health care practitioners who are present preserve the life and health of the child born. Every child deserves a chance at life.