I am out of time but I want to make the point that no one should be so discouraged that we are looking at safety in foster homes.

This commission talks about the barriers, the obstacles, trying to evaluate explicitly what the elements are that we can put together that finally address the heart of this matter.

We must hold professionals accountable when they are not following existing law.

We certainly support Senator Hoeven's intentions in introducing this bill.

It still happens across this Country. Despite all our best efforts, we still see these problems.

This legislation is about making sure foster homes are safe, not only on our reservations in North Dakota, but across the Country.

I would like to thank you for holding this hearing.

The proposed legislation would, among other things, expand background check requirements for all adults residing in prospective foster care homes.

We respectfully request that the procedures used to implement the legislation not be duplicative, costly nor a source of frustration to possible foster parents or caregivers.

This is on us. This is on all of us because we are the adults.

I rise to offer an amendment to the unemployment insurance legislation we are currently considering. While we all want to help those who are unemployed, the real solution is to get them a job, is to create a growing economy and more jobs…

This brings me to the proposed Native American Child Safety Act currently introduced by Senators Hoeven and Tester and co-sponsored by Senators Barrasso and Heitkamp.

We know there are children at risk in this Country, Native American children especially.

Isn't that interesting? Not very interesting, it is pretty depressing.

I pledge to you that I will do everything that I can to assist in this effort to bring a broader justice.

Despite all of that, these kids have been left behind. The fact is, it is a national disgrace.

I have spent a lot of time in Indian Country in my time in public life in North Dakota.

These are solemn promises by the government and then what has been done relevant to those promises.