The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has held several hearings on economic development-related topics including entrepreneurship, energy development and access to capital. The committee recently held a listening session on taxation issues facing Indian Country. We’ve also held four field hearings to better understand the unique challenges for tribes in Wyoming, Montana, Oklahoma and Alaska.

While it is important that the committee get out of Washington and get to Indian Country, we also need to get Washington out of Indian Country.

That means simplifying federal regulations and increasing local control. This will help to empower—not hinder—tribal self-governance and prosperity.

The first bill I introduced as chairman was the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act. This legislation will empower tribes to develop their own energy resources on their lands.

It will also streamline certain approvals of many energy development transactions, such as business agreements, right-of-ways and leases on Indian lands.

More energy development means more jobs. It means more money for tribal communities and more American energy contributing to our energy security.