Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act of 2019

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 297) to extend the Federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 297 will extend Federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana.

Federal recognition of Native American Tribes is critical to protecting their tribal sovereignty and restoring a tribe's ability to control its land, its water, and its resources, as well as the ability to govern and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its members.

The Little Shell Tribe has resided in Montana for well over a century and has long been recognized as a tribe by the State of Montana.

The Little Shell Tribe is a political successor to the signatories of the Pembina Treaty of 1863, under which a large area of the land in the State of North Dakota was ceded to the United States. While the Federal Government has federally recognized the two other Tribes that are successors to the signatories of the treaty, the Little Shell have inexplicably been left in limbo.

The Little Shell Tribe has repeatedly petitioned the Federal Government for Federal recognition, first in the 1930s and 1940s under the Indian Reorganization Act, and later, starting in 1978, through the Department of the Interior's recognition process. However, despite their long and well-documented history, they were deprived of their rightful Federal recognition each time.

H.R. 297 finally extends recognition to the Little Shell Tribe, making all Federal laws and regulations of general applicability to Indians and Indian Tribes applicable to Little Shell and its members.

Federal recognition of the Little Shell Tribe enjoys broad support in Montana, including support from the Governor's office, the Montana State Legislature, the surrounding counties and cities, and from all the other federally recognized Montana Tribes.

Recognition of the Little Shell is long overdue.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 297, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I want to extend our appreciation for his work to the sponsor of the legislation. It passed unanimously, as he indicated, and there is no reason why we can't do that again today.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for the time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to once again provide the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana with the overdue Federal recognition that they deserve.

The Little Shell Tribe began petitioning the Federal Government for recognition in the 1930s, over 80 years ago.

Last year, the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act passed this Chamber unanimously. It was the first time that a bill providing Federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe passed either the House or the Senate. Following the passage in the House, however, the uncontroversial bill hit a roadblock in the Senate.

Today, we again take up their worthy cause as we pass this bill.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Grijalva and Ranking Member Bishop for their continued support.

This Congress should provide the Little Shell Tribe with the Federal recognition it deserves, particularly after its eight decades of dedicated efforts. Hopefully, my colleagues in the Senate will recognize the importance of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 297, sponsored by Congressman Gianforte, would extend Federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana.

With Federal recognition, the Little Shell Tribe and its members would be eligible for all services and benefits provided by the Federal Government to Indians because of their status as Indians.

A previous version of this bill passed without opposition in the last Congress, thanks in large part to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Gianforte), who has been a tireless advocate of recognizing the Little Shell Tribe and whose work has been instrumental to bring this legislation closer to the finish line.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Gianforte).

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I understand there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

I now ask for a second reading and, in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to attend votes due to circumstances beyond my control. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on roll call No. 127, ``yea'' on roll call No. 128, and ``yea'' on roll call No. 129.