On the recordOctober 8, 2015
I just want to note that the Democrats on the Natural Resources Committee filed several amendments to this bill. We felt our Members were squarely within the House rules. Sadly, the majority on Rules failed to make any of their amendments in order. One of these rejected amendments would have fixed the terrible mess created by the decision in Carcieri. If you want to help tribes in a legitimate, coequal way control their own lands and move closer and closer to self-determination, you have to address this problem. It is telling that my friends on the other side have refused to even address the bill or to have a legitimate hearing on the bill. Let me just in closing address the Statement of Administrative Policy. While the administration supports the need to facilitate energy development in Indian Country, it does not support H.R. 538, the Native American Energy Act. This bill would undermine public participation and transparency of review of projects on Indian lands under the National Environmental Policy Act, set unrealistic deadlines, and remove oversight for appraisals of Indian lands or trust assets, and prohibit awards under the Equal Access to Justice Act or payment of fees or expenses to a plaintiff from the judgment fund in an energy-related action. By foreclosing the judgment fund, this provision would negatively impact the Indian Affairs budget that is intended to serve all tribes.…
