Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman. This bill not only reauthorizes existing programs at existing or last appropriated levels--in other words, there's no new spending in this bill--it provides enhanced sentencing authority so the tribes may impose longer sentences on Native Americans, not on nontribal citizens or non-Native Americans. It enhances evidence sharing and Federal accountability, and increases officers on the ground in Indian Country. It streamlines the process for the BIA and IHS employees to testify in sexual assault cases, and reauthorizes funding to support tribal courts. In closing, all Americans have the right to public safety and security, but it's preeminently a Federal responsibility to protect those rights in Indian Country. A vote against this bill, in my opinion, is a vote to continue the status quo of rampant violence and drug abuse in Indian Country, which we have an opportunity to make significant progress on. This legislation will only pass as it did in the Senate if it has significant bipartisan support, and I hope that support is available here today. I urge my colleagues on both sides to pass this important piece of legislation.”