On the recordFebruary 6, 2023
Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for closing. Again, I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for introducing this bill, and I appreciate his tireless work on it. I thank the gentlewoman from New Mexico and the minority support on this piece of bipartisan legislation. I will say that H.R. 548 is a commonsense bill that facilitates greater control for the Eastern Band of Cherokee over their sacred and historic homelands in Tennessee. It ensures the protection of their timeless heritage, culture, and tradition, and gives them the opportunity to memorialize the history and culture of the Cherokee people. The Tribe has worked with the Tennessee Valley Authority for more than three decades, and this legislation is long overdue. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Fleischmann for his leadership and fulfilling a vital constituent service. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
