Mazie Hirono: “In closing, it is well established that the United States Constitution grants Congress broad general powers to legislate…”

“In closing, it is well established that the United States Constitution grants Congress broad general powers to legislate and respect the native people, and these are powers that the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently described as ``plenary and exclusive.'' Congress's plenary authority over Indian affairs includes the power to authorize and prescribe the process by which Indian tribes and aboriginal people organize or reorganize for purposes of carrying out a government-to-government relationship with the United States. The State of Hawaii motto, which was also the motto of the Kingdom of Hawaii, is ``Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono,'' which translates to ``the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.'' Native Hawaiians, like American Indians and Alaska Natives, have an inherent sovereignty based on their status as indigenous, aboriginal people. I urge your support of H.R. 2314. Mahalo nui loa. Thank you.”