SC Alaska News

U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Lisa Murkowski announced the Senate's approval of six bills related to Native affairs, now moving to the House for further consideration. These legislative measures focus on Native lands, veterinary services, and buffalo restoration.

Senator Schatz, chairing the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, highlighted the progress made during this Congressional period: “We have already had the most constructive and productive period for Native people in Congressional history. We have invested more in water, transportation, broadband, energy, culture, and economic development. We have passed an extraordinary number of bipartisan bills. But we are not done. We have about a week left and we have a number of bipartisan bills that have to get across the finish line.”

Vice Chair Murkowski expressed her satisfaction with the passage of two bipartisan bills she introduced: “I applaud the U.S. Senate for passing by voice vote two bipartisan bills I introduced. S.4365, the Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act, is vital to combatting rabies and other zoonotic diseases in Native communities across the nation." She also mentioned improvements brought by another bill: "The Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments Act, S. 4370, provides straightforward, meaningful improvements to the original TFPA, promoting greater Indigenous stewardship of Federal and Indian forest and rangelands."

Murkowski also acknowledged the passing of a bill significant to Alaskan communities: “I am also pleased that the Indian Buffalo Management Act...also passed the Senate today. This bill strengthens a small program operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs that is rebuilding buffalo populations in Native communities.”