Bruce Westerman: “Mr. Speaker, S. 723, the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Thune, would…”

“Mr. Speaker, S. 723, the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Thune, would establish firm timelines for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to review and approve residential and business mortgage applications on Tribal trust land. This bill also increases transparency and accountability in the mortgage review process and modernizes outdated systems that have contributed to delays. Since trust land is held by the United States on behalf of Tribes and Tribal members, mortgages on that land require approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs before they can close. While current law provides review timelines for certain leaseholds and rights-of-way mortgages, there is no statutory deadline for trust land mortgages. As a result, applicants and lenders have faced prolonged uncertainty. Reports have highlighted cases in which borrowers waited more than 1 year for their required title status reports, creating significant barriers to homeownership and business development in Indian Country. These delays can discourage lenders and limit access to capital in communities that already face housing shortages and economic challenges. S. 723 addresses these concerns by setting enforceable timelines for BIA review, requiring notice to lenders and a report to Congress, supporting the digitization of records, improving access to information, and creating a realty ombudsman to help resolve issues.”