Lisa Murkowski

We have prioritized housing for all kinds of good reasons.

I think what would be helpful for us is for you to detail for the Committee exactly what reforms have been addressed in compliance with that handbook.

So with such an obvious need for housing in Indian Country, and nationally, any barriers that we can address, we should.

Good news is that we have now moved the NAHASDA bill from Committee. That is going to be very helpful with reforms in HUD's Indian Housing program.

It seems to me that we need to have a little bit better clarity as to the compliance within the department.

According to HUD's 2017 Housing Assessment for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities, in order to eliminate overcrowding in tribal areas, a total of 68,000 new units would need to be constructed.

Every, every victim needs to know that there can be a path to justice. That`s what we`re trying to do here.

Only 21 percent of institutions have fully resolved all claims on human remains/items under NAGPRA; is it accurate to say that 79 percent are in non-compliance?

While the protections afforded in NAGPRA may not be applicable in every instance, I do hope that this committee can have a discussion on how NAGPRA's already existing Federal framework may be one of the many Federal tools that we can…

So, according, again, to the Department, since NAGPRA was enacted, apparently only 21 percent of museums subject to the Act have resolved all Native American human remains that are under their control.

Because the role that the ANCs had been playing, as you point out now, for two decades, had really helped facilitate not only the inventory but the ability to work on the repatriation efforts.

I will say thank you also for acknowledging that in the last 50 years, Alaska has developed different institutional arrangements than that of our lower 48 brothers and sisters.

It is time, it is past time, that this Committee exercises its oversight role to ensure that the tools Congress has given Federal agencies under the law are being used to safeguard tribal communities from being locked out of decisions…

NAGPRA recognizes that human remains of any ancestry must at all times be treated with dignity and with respect.

Repatriation, and returning their remains with the respect and dignity that should be afforded, absolutely.

Now it still means that your tribes can continue the efforts, the non-profits can contribute the efforts for further repatriation.

Until Chairman Schatz gets back, I will begin the questioning.

I am still getting thank yous for those.

They are quite concerned about the mandate that requires testing of unvaccinated employees.

There was an effort, there was a concentrated effort and we're learning more day by day through this Commission, I wish it had been a Commission that was wholly sanctioned by the whole Congress rather than just a majority of Democrats, but…

Oh, my goodness, my soul. Mr. President, may I strike that erroneous introduction?

We want the tools to combat this problem.

We know that crime is best addressed by the government closest to the crime, and in an Alaska Native Village that is the tribal government.

The solutions to the current public safety crisis is to be found in partnerships with state and federal law enforcement agencies.

I look forward to working with all of my colleagues as we work to advance this restoration of justice through VAWA.