On the recordSeptember 19, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I appreciate Chairman Bishop's indulgence at this point. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3319, a bill that would authorize the Pascua Yaqui Tribe to set its own membership criteria by replacing congressionally mandated criteria that artificially limited enrollment to certain Yaqui people based on application deadlines and other requirements that do not reflect tribal input. H.R. 3319 reflects the modern congressional policy of allowing federally recognized tribes to set their own membership criteria. The bill eliminates current membership requirements imposed by statute and replaces them with a requirement that members possess any degree of Indian blood as determined by the tribe. The Pascua Yaqui Tribe, like all federally recognized tribes, has the inherent right to determine its own membership without restrictions imposed by the Federal Government. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 3319, and I yield back the remainder of my time.
