Jon Tester

I think a lot can change in 30 years.

I would love to work with you on it.

We are talking about everybody if we are going to increase the middle class.

The affordable housing is critically important, and I can give you plenty of examples...

We elect people to offices like U.S. Senators and President of United States not for personal gain but for the betterment of the country.

I think we both agree that Government plays an important role in whatever we do, and housing is no exception.

I appreciate any work you can do on that because I think that would help solve not all but certainly a fair amount of the problem.

It should never be a document that is used to protect child traffickers or prostitution.

The solution to these problems... is doing what you have done today and continuing to tell your story.

The strength and power of your testimony is amazing to me you are able to sit here and do this.

We have a problem in this country. We do not need people who enable pimps to buy and sell our children.

Do you see an opportunity for more Tribal consultation with the Department? And, if you do see that, what would that look like?

But you will not have the capability to extend it, it will have to be done by Congress?

You have been incredible in the position.

I serve on Appropriations and I am upset about the fact that we don't have the ability to do projects or the appropriations process to direct dollars.

I want to thank you all for the work you do and I want to wish you all a very happy holiday season.

It will take action by Congress.

By returning these lands to Tribes, the Land Buy-Back Program has helped Tribal Governments in a number of ways.

Addressing the problem of land fractionalization is an important step for Indian Country.

And how was that time decided, that 45? Was that a negotiated agreement or was that an agreement that the Department came up with?

This program is a critical step in restoring tribal land and empowering tribal governments.

I am going to remain engaged in tribal issues just as I have in the past.

I want to thank you for holding this hearing, because I think the last hearing we had on the Land Buy-Back Program was two years ago.

I think this Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee are very open to making sure you have the resources you need to keep this country safe along the Northern as well as the Southern border.

Do you have--does your agency have an outreach program to them, to make sure that they are on board?