Heidi Heitkamp

This is probably a personal experience that maybe was not shared with everyone.

For too long, we have given Indian Country the leftovers. Members of these communities deserve to be counted where they reside, just like any other person.

A critical concern to me and to my constituents are the canceled tests in Indian Country.

I do not want to be the head of the Census Bureau, but I want to offer a couple suggestions.

I would just recommend that if you really want to look at a plus multiplier on marginalized and disenfranchised populations, homeless populations, chances are you are going to find a lot of those folks in the public library.

You are talking, Secretary, about actually engaging with the mail carriers?

I can just tell you in North Dakota, you are going to have a heck of a time hiring Census workers.

We want to thank you for your focused efforts to bring an end to human trafficking and violence against women and children in Indian Country.

I think one of the points that I am trying to make is that listening to you all, we are worried about whether you are usurping executive authority, but you are almost acting like a first judicial review of the regulation.

Except in order to augment those Article I powers, you had to pass a constitutional amendment which is the point that I am trying to make.

But on the other side is this question of separation of powers, and whether, in fact, the Legislative Branch, being so critically involved... results in a breach of that all-important separation of powers doctrine.

I do not know why they are doing it that way. I mean, it seemed clear when we passed it.

This is always a challenge because there are two functions, right? There is the oversight function, which we, as legislators, all believe is absolutely critical.

If anyone has been following this Committee, they know that frequently I ask about the intersection between Federal regulation and State regulation.

I have known Josh for a long time, fairly long time, and while he is a tremendous legislator he is an even better person.

I will be introducing the Prove It Act, which seeks to strengthen the voice of small businesses in the rulemaking process.

We thank you, Senator Heitkamp for your dedication and that of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs...

S. 1942, a bill to direct the AG to review, revise and develop law enforcement and justice protocols appropriate to address missing and murdered Indians

The U.S. government has a federal trust responsibility and legal obligation to safeguard not only the Treaties, but to ensure all citizens of the United States have equal access to justice and the right to live a life free from violence.

It is time for Congress to take the next step by passing and enacting Savanna's Act.

We thank Senator Heitkamp for her leadership in introducing Savanna's Act, which is aimed at improving the response to missing persons and murder cases involving Native victims.

I stand by my recommendation that a National Inquiry into the MMIW is a necessary fundamental response to truly understand the gravity of the extensive issues faced for Native women in the country.

I urge you--no, I beg you--pass Savanna's Act.

I urge Congress to move quickly in order to rectify the data collection gaps and provide tribal leadership and local law enforcement with the resources needed to protect Indigenous women, and bring justice to those who have perpetuated…

We have kind of a joke on this side. We say what happens in the Indian Affairs Committee stays in the Indian Affairs Committee.