Duncan Hunter: “I thank the good doctor from Tennessee. I want to thank my Republican colleagues, Mr. Rokita especially, for bringing…”

“I thank the good doctor from Tennessee. I want to thank my Republican colleagues, Mr. Rokita especially, for bringing this important matter to a vote today. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 511, the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act. In this House, we often speak about the importance of ensuring and protecting tribal sovereignty. This bill does just that. The measure treats tribal governments like we do any other government entity in this country by excluding them from the onerous coverage under the National Labor Relations Act. In my district in San Diego and Riverside County, California, I represent 18 different tribes in Congress. That is more than anybody else in this House. They vary in size, tradition, and economic wealth, but they share one thing in common. They are all sovereign nations. This sovereignty ensures that they have jurisdiction over their territory. And, remember, the American people made a promise to these tribes that they can govern themselves on their own land. This should especially apply in areas that this bill seeks to address. I think it is ludicrous that the National Labor Relations Board thinks that they have purview over American Indian tribes. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 511.”