William R. Richardson: “first of all, this is a good bill. We are doing the right thing by passing this bill. I commend the authors. Madam…”

“first of all, this is a good bill. We are doing the right thing by passing this bill. I commend the authors. Madam Speaker, I am going to vote against the rule because of the provision on Indian adoptions. First of all, Madam Speaker, the gentleman from Alaska [Don Young] chairs the Committee on Resources. In our committee, we unanimously, Republican and Democrat, took out the provision that deals with Indian adoptions. The last time I checked, the Committee on Rules does not have the job of creating American Indian policy. The rule dictates to 557 sovereign Native American nations what is best for their children. I think what we are doing here with respect to Indian adoptions is a tragic mistake. There are 20 glaring cases and they are tragedies, and I am sure they will be discussed here, but that should not dictate what we impose on tribes. Tribes care for their children. Not one Native American tribe was consulted on this provision. Can Members imagine first Americans, sovereign nations; we have sovereign treaties with them. Yet, not one tribe is supporting this provision. I think that is a lack of respect. What we are doing here, Madam Speaker, is affecting the Indian family, the Indian culture. The extended family has a special role in caring for Indian children. In nearly every instance when the extended family has knowledge of a child needing care, they are willing to adopt that child.”