Senate Committee on Indian Affairs schedules business meeting

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The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on September 25, 2024. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Monday, November 18, 2024

Indianz.Com

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is getting back to work as the 118th Congress comes to a close.

After a two-month lull in activity amid the 2024 presidential election, the committee convenes for a business meeting on Wednesday afternoon. Three items are on the agenda:

• The nomination of Patrice H. Kunesh, of Minnesota, to be Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission, the federal agency that oversees the $41.9 billion tribal casino industry. A confirmation hearing took place on September 18, with Kunesh as the sole witness.

• S.4643, the Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024. The bill settles the water rights of the Pueblo of Zuni in New Mexico and authorizes $685 million in federal funding to support the tribe’s water resources, including Zuni Salt Lake, a sacred place. A hearing took place on September 25, featuring testimony from Governor Arden Kucate of the Zuni Tribe.

• S.4998, the Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024. The bill settles the water rights of the Navajo Nation to the Rio San José Stream System in New Mexico. A hearing took place on September 25, featuring testimony from President Buu Nygren of the Navajo Nation.

The business meeting takes place at 3pm Eastern in Room 628 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. A livestream will be available on indian.senate.gov shortly before the start of the proceeding.

The 118th Congress concludes by the end of December so time is running out for the U.S. Senate, currently in Democratic hands, to complete its work on pending legislation and business for Indian Country. Republicans will take over the chamber when the 119th session starts in January 2025.

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Notice

Business Meeting to consider the Nomination of Patrice H. Kunesh, of Minnesota, to be Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission, S. 4643 & S. 4998 (November 20, 2024)