WHAT
What is Senate Committee on Indian Affairs working on?
Recent hearings
- Open Hearing
Hearings to examine S.630, to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to make payments to the Quapaw Nation and certain members of the Quapaw Nation in accordance with the recommendation of the United States Court of Federal Claims, S.1514 and H.R.2389, bills to take certain land in the State of Washington into trust for the benefit of the Quinault Indian Nation, S.2796, to provide for a land exchange in San Bernardino County, California, S.2871 and H.R.2400, bills to take certain Federal land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Pit River Tribe, S.3219, to transfer certain Federal land into trust for certain Indian Pueblos in the State of New Mexico, and S.3475 and H.R.2916, bills to authorize, ratify, and confirm the Agreement of Settlement and Compromise to Resolve the Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim in the State of New York.
Jun 3, 2026
- Open Business Meeting
Business meeting to consider S.236, to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the "Long-Term Leasing Act"), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), S.1513, to take certain Federal land in the State of Washington into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, S.2098, to provide for the conveyance of certain property to the Southcentral Foundation located in Anchorage, Alaska, S.2735, to take certain Federal land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, H.R.681, to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the "Long-Term Leasing Act"), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), H.R.2302, to take certain Federal land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, H.R.2388, to take certain Federal land in the State of Washington into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, and H.R.3620, to provide for the conveyance of certain property to the Southcentral Foundation located in Anchorage, Alaska; to be immediately followed by an oversight hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2027 for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service.
May 20, 2026
- Meeting
Oversight hearings to examine Federal policies governing Indian water rights settlements, including S.953, to provide for the settlement of the water rights claims of the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.
Mar 11, 2026
As of Jun 3, 2026. Sparse coverage can reflect a quiet recess period or a filter gap; the full schedule lives on Congress.gov.
Bills in committee
- S 2735: Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025Voted out of committee
Alex Padilla (D-CA) · Sep 8, 2025
- S 2098: Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025Voted out of committee
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) · Jun 17, 2025
- S 1513: Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration ActVoted out of committee
Maria Cantwell (D-WA) · Apr 29, 2025
- S 236: A bill to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the "Long-Term Leasing Act"), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes.Voted out of committee
Edward Markey (D-MA) · Jan 23, 2025
- HR 3620: Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025Voted out of committee
Nicholas Begich (R-AK-At Large) · May 29, 2025
- HR 2388: Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration ActVoted out of committee
Emily Randall (D-WA-6) · Mar 26, 2025
- HR 2302: Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025Voted out of committee
Tom McClintock (R-CA-5) · Mar 24, 2025
- HR 681: To amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the “Long-Term Leasing Act”), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposesVoted out of committee
William Keating (D-MA-9) · Jan 23, 2025
Status reflects the bill’s latest action on Congress.gov, which may be past this committee (e.g. a bill “Passed House, in Senate” has cleared this committee and chamber).
Jurisdiction
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has jurisdiction to study the unique problems of American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native peoples and to propose legislation to alleviate these difficulties. These issues include, but are not limited to, Indian education, economic development, land management, trust responsibilities, health care, and claims against the United States. Additionally, all legislation proposed by Members of the Senate that specifically pertains to American Indians, Native Hawaiians, or Alaska Natives is under the jurisdiction of the Committee.
Committee activity data from Congress.gov. Full methodology