Tom Udall

Will you commit to ensure that the research and science-based activities by NASA employees are protected from political interference including science related to climate change?

Scientific integrity is embedded in the rules and requirements that govern NASA's professional behavior across all technical disciplines and should be a high priority for the agency.

Our sacred and cultural items are illegally being taken from our people, threatening the maintenance of our culture and tradition.

I know I heard Senator Tester talk about tribal correction facility issues in Montana.

I am very excited to have this happening in my lifetime. I see that it could work better.

I want to commend you, Mr. Chairman, for your tribe's leadership in this area.

We would like to see VAWA expanded to be able to enforce tribal jurisdiction over non-tribal members.

Thank you again Chairman Hoeven and Vice Chairman Udall for holding a legislative hearing.

For the both of you, this is a big issue for tribes.

There is no jurisdiction over that. If he assaults the officer arresting him, there is no jurisdiction.

S. 1953 looks to address this same issue by withholding administrative funding from the Department of the Interior and the Department of Justice agencies that fail to submit required reports by the legislative deadline.

The Federal law enforcement agencies have also testified in support of additional funding for personnel to help keep Indian Country safe.

Thank you, Chairman Hoeven, for holding today's important hearing.

Both of the Chairman's bills are a step in the right direction.

That is a gap in terms of the special jurisdiction and the way it works.

Withholding would hurt the tribes.

Just recently, I received a statutorily required report that was due in 2012, five years late.

Senator Heitkamp's bill, S. 1941, Savanna's Act, looks at the Federal response to missing and murdered Indian women.

The bills we are considering here today address these very same issues: law enforcement resources, victim services and public safety in Indian Country.

We must ensure that the voices of Native Americans are heard.

I do not think we should ever want to hear the excuse that tribes are doing well with gaming, now we do not need to help them anymore.

It affirmed the tribes' right to regulate gaming on tribal lands.

Can I have your commitment that you, as the highest ranking political appointee in Indian Affairs at Interior, that you will ensure meaningful tribal consultations occur in the spirit of that Executive Order?

Together, they ushered in a new era for tribal self determination with a law that continues to provide economic opportunities to Indian Country.

Indian gaming has stood the test of time as a proven economic driver.