The U.S. House of Representatives considers S.209, the Practical Reforms and Other Goals To Reinforce the Effectiveness of Self-Governance and Self-Determination for Indian Tribes Act, also known as the PROGRESS Act, on September 21, 2020.

Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico), a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna, led debate on the measure on the House floor. The chamber passed the bill under a suspension of the rules.

Since S.209 already passed the U.S. Senate, it can be sent to President Donald Trump for his signature.

According to supporters, the PROGRESS for Indian Tribes Act:

* Streamlines the U.S. Department of the Interior's process for approving self-governance compacts and annual funding agreements for Indian programs.

* Aligns the process used by the U.S. Department of the Interior to be similar to the processes used by the Indian Health Service.

* Adds more flexibility in administering contracts for Indian Tribes that either have not qualified for self-governance or have chosen to administer only a few Bureau of Indian Affairs programs.

Indian Country bills crawl to final approval in busy election cycle (September 22, 2020)