Today the Committee will hold an oversight hearing on the theft, illegal possession, sale and transfer and export of tribal cultural items.

But the problem still exists. The enforcement of those laws has not been strong enough.

I think it's very important, Senators, to ensure that Native Nations have that opportunity as indigenous governments to represent themselves at the UN.

We all need to take all possible action to stop the latter and to help repatriate stolen culturally significant items to their rightful owners.

And we encourage the United States to get behind tribes and ensure that they can represent themselves at those meetings.

I'm proud of my work with tribes in New Mexico and across Indian Country to craft this legislation.

we want you to be aggressive and to go after the wrongdoers at every opportunity.

This is a problem that affects all of us, and we need to work collectively to put a stop to it.

I'm also proud to welcome growing bipartisan support for this legislation in the United States Senate.

Thank you, Ms. Keeler. And I thank all the witnesses today for their testimony.

Would there be changes to NAGPRA that would result in more cases being prosecuted specifically under that statute...

We must do more to provide an excellent education and quality health care for our tribal members.

Thank you very much.

Well, we really appreciate your efforts and, as you know, the Acoma Shield is one of the many instances where the deeply important cultural items have been sold internationally.

I applaud the efforts of Congress and the leadership of the New Mexico delegation on these important issues over the decades.

That Shield belongs to the Pueblo of Acoma. Inherently, it belongs to us.

I take my responsibility for representing Indian Country in Washington very seriously.

I think that's an important distinction. I think both of us would love to work with you on that front.