Mike Simpson

Indian water rights has become a bigger and bigger issue, whether it is in Oklahoma or whether it is in Arizona, whether it is in Idaho, and that is something that we are going to have to deal with.

Last year was an ugly budget year. I understand why it was. We were overspending.

There is no problem that a really good water year won't solve.

You can bet there is going to be a hearing on it, and we are going to call in the Department of Justice.

I don't think you could be any more upset about what is happening with murdered and missing indigenous women than I am.

I will tell you it is going to be an uglier year this year. We are still not going to go back.

I am the co-chairman of the House TRIO Caucus, and what it does is help prepare first-time students to go to college.

Just like in the 1800s when they slaughtered all these buffalo, that was how we were going to control the tribes, by controlling their food supply or eliminating their food supply.

I think we need to look at that whole situation and how we can improve that.

I have been asked by several tribes why do we fund the Indian Health Services when money comes off the top through that party, through their administration, and some tribes that have talked to me believe that they could deliver more…

Repatriation of both Native Americans and the artifacts that are in museums all over the world, frankly, should be a high priority.

It is a travesty what is happening with law enforcement and the need out on the reservations.

Our prayers and thoughts go out to all your members and hope that they are safe in this environment that seems to happen all the time.

Somehow, we have got to get an allocation where we can both take care of Indian Health Services and we can do those other things that are necessary.

One of the best ways to treat diabetes is getting back to traditional foods, and that is one of the most effective means that we have got on treating diabetes that is higher among Indians than it is any other subpopulation of the country.

Interesting testimony, something that we will certainly look into consideration of when we are trying to put together a budget.

I don't know how you do any law enforcement on reservations with the different laws that exist.

Congress needs to do something about that, but I think it is going to come down in large part to the funding and the relationship with the FBI.

We have got to get the high walls down, and I don't know if I will be around when it finishes, but I am going to be around while it starts because we are going to get that done.

This massive underfunding of law enforcement is leading to dangerous conditions on the Fort Hall Reservation and throughout Indian Country.

This is a serious public safety problem for our tribal members.

Unfortunately, that report language did not make it in the final bill.

I want to thank the honorable Mike Simpson, who is our representative, for his continued efforts on behalf of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and of Indian Country to uphold the treaty and trust responsibility.

Indian Country has been and will continue to be a bipartisan priority of this subcommittee.

I appreciate you bringing that up, and it is certainly something we will look at.