Political Quotes

“I thank my friend, the distinguished ranking member, for yielding time. I want to thank both my friends, the chairman and the ranking member, for their help in bringing this legislation to the floor. It could not have happened without both of their assistance. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 375, legislation that would amend the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 and reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Indian Tribes. Between the passage of the Dawes Act in 1887 and the passage of the Indian Reorganization Act in 1934, the Indian landmass in the United States shrank by 86 million acres. {time} 1400 Since the enactment of the Indian Reorganization Act, the Department of the Interior has taken back approximately 9 million acres of land into trust status. Tribes have used their trust lands to build community facilities such as schools, health centers, and housing that serve their Tribal members. This land is also used for Tribal enterprises and promotes economic development in communities that are often underserved and poverty-stricken. In 2009, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned long- existing precedent in its decision on the Carcieri v. Salazar case.…”