Chellie Pingree: “The benefits that other Tribes have seen from allowing Tribal jurisdiction over domestic violence cases include…”

“The benefits that other Tribes have seen from allowing Tribal jurisdiction over domestic violence cases include: increased public safety for all of those living on Tribal lands, increased community conversations about domestic violence, updates to Tribal criminal codes, and increased collaboration among Tribes and local and State governments--all of which have been elusive for the Tribes of Maine. Today's bill will address this long overdue unfairness that has left Maine Tribes not only to be treated differently, but has also left them out of the benefits of the 2013 VAWA bill. For every Member of this body, there are many reasons to support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do so.”