Committees in the United States Congress, both the Senate and the House of Representatives, convened recently to hold organizational meetings, welcome new members, and vote on their rules for the 118th Congress. The committees involved include the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and the House Committee on Natural Resources, which consists of a Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
In the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, there were not many changes from the 117th Congress. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) will continue to serve as Chairman of the Committee, and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) will continue to serve as Vice-Chairman. Also on the Committee are Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), Jon Tester (D-Montana), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Ben Lujan (D-New Mexico), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), and, new member, Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma) who will replace James Lankford (R-Oklahoma) on the Committee.
On the House side, there were more changes with the new Republican majority. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Arkansas) will serve as the Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona) will serve as the Ranking Member. The Committee already held its first hearing on February 8, 2023. The hearing was entitled “Unleashing America’s Energy and Mineral Potential” and can be viewed here.
The Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs will have Rep. Harriet Hageman (R- Wyoming) as its Chairwoman. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-New Mexico) will serve as the Ranking Member.
Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson LLP is dedicated to the representation of American Indian tribes, tribal entities, and individual Indians across the United States. Our mission is to support and advance the sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and self-governance of our tribal clients. To learn more about how we can assist your tribe, contact our DC office at (202-434-8903)