WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, today announced that the Committee has passed the PROGRESS For Indian Tribes Act and the Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act, two pieces of legislation he introduced to jump start economic development in Indian Country.
“One of the most effective ways that the Committee can empower Tribes is moving legislation that will spur economic development in Indian Country,” Hoeven said. “The Committee has now passed important legislation to cut onerous red tape and increase access to economic opportunities for Tribes and Native businesses.”
The two Hoeven Tribal economic development bills the Committee passed today are:
S. 209, the PROGRESS for Indian Tribes Act, would:
Streamline the Department of the Interior’s process for approving self-governance compacts and annual funding agreements for Indian programs.
Align the process used by the Department of the Interior to be similar to the processes used by the Indian Health Service.
Add more flexibility in administering those contracts for tribes that either have not qualified for self-governance or have chosen to administer only a few Bureau of Indian Affairs programs.
S. 212, the Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act, would:
Amend three Federal laws relating to business, economic, and trade development in Indian communities.
Increase access to capital for Indian tribes and businesses.
Increase opportunities for Indian business promotion.
Create mechanisms and tools to attract investments in Indian communities.
What Committee Members Are Saying:
“Lawmakers need to empower tribes to create solutions that work for their members and that means supporting efforts to strengthen tribal self-governance. Today, I am proud to be among the bipartisan group of senators taking important steps toward passing this legislation into law.” – Senator Smith, Cosponsor of the PROGRESS for Indian Tribes Act.
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