Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), a member of the Chickasaw Nation, issued the following statement on the Tribal Law and Order Act. July 21, 2010.

"The ability of law enforcement to fight crime in Indian Country has been severely compromised by inadequate training and resources. This bipartisan legislation will help tribal law enforcement officials crack down on violence and drug abuse in Native American communities. All Americans have the right to public safety and security, and this legislation is an important step toward making Oklahoma safer. This is a major victory for not only Oklahoma, but all of Indian Country. Today, Congress has approved the greatest stride forward for public safety in Indian Country in decades."

H.R. 725 re-authorizes existing programs at existing or last appropriated levels, creating no new spending. The legislation includes provisions to: provide enhanced sentencing authority allowing longer sentences for tribal offenders; enhance evidence sharing and federal accountability; increase the number of officers on the ground in Indian Country; streamline the process for the BIA and IHS employees to testify in sexual assault cases; re-authorize funding to support tribal courts.

Crime on Indian reservations is 2.5 times the national average. One in three Native American women will be raped over the course of a lifetime. The 56 million acres of Indian Country have less than one-half of the law enforcement presence available in comparable rural communities.

Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act:
H.R.725

Tribal Law and Order Act:
S.797 | H.R.1924

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