Our nation is home to a vast diversity of sovereign tribes, and Federal policy should reflect that diversity.

The HEARTH Act would allow tribes to develop their own leasing regulations and make leasing decisions on tribal Trust at the tribal level rather than waiting for BIA approval.

Statistically, Indians are the most impoverished group of people in our country and suffer from the highest rates of unemployment.

The HEARTH Act will allow tribes to exercise greater control over their lands, support self-determination and eliminate bureaucratic delays that stand in the way of home ownership and economic development in tribal communities.

Neither my legislation, nor the HEARTH Act are attempts to get around environmental regulations and exploit the land.

These pieces of legislation are vital to the development of Tribal economies.

While I strongly support my legislation, I hope that the HEARTH Act is quickly enacted extending the provisions found in H.R. 2362 to all tribes.

These same provisions have applied to the Navajo tribe for over a decade, and have helped that tribe with economic development.

H.R. 2362 is designed to facilitate U.S. trade with Turkey and help economic development on Tribal land.

The first and most basic step we should take towards that goal is making it easier for Indian Tribes to use their own land.

I commend Mr. Heinrich for introducing H.R. 205, a bill that would authorize willing Indian tribes to manage leasing activities on their own lands without unnecessary and burdensome federal oversight.