Niki Tsongas: “At the request of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, H.R. 4002 simply revokes a corporate charter issued to it by the Federal…”

“At the request of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, H.R. 4002 simply revokes a corporate charter issued to it by the Federal Government. Under the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act and the Indian Reorganization Act, many tribes were issued corporate charters in the 1930s and 1940s that were aimed at enabling them to better manage their own affairs and pursue business relationships with private entities. For some tribes, these corporate charters have proven unnecessary and end up hindering their business opportunities as they inevitably come up in negotiations with private entities and are looked upon with suspicion. The charter must be revoked by an act of Congress, and Mr. Mullin, on behalf of his constituent, is simply complying with the tribe's request through this bill. Similar bills have passed over the years without event. I ask my colleagues to stand with me in support of this noncontroversial bill. I reserve the balance of my time.”