S.227<\/a>], respectively \u2014 released the following statements on October 11, 2020, after both bills were signed into law by the president: \r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\u201cFor too long, the epidemic of missing, murdered and trafficked Native women and girls has gone unaddressed. Former Senator Heidi Heitkamp bravely took up this effort in the last Congress, and I\u2019m proud to have worked to get that legislation passed and signed by the President today,\u201d said Senator Cortez Masto.<\/strong> \u201cWith the Not Invisible Act and Savanna\u2019s Act, we reach a turning point in the effort to seek justice for the families of those missing and murdered, and in curbing the epidemic of violence against Native women. Both laws require federal agencies to improve coordination with local partners and ensure they have the federal backing to address a crisis that has been under-resourced for far too long. Today\u2019s signing puts us on a path towards greater justice for thousands of Native women and girls that have been missing, trafficked, or taken far too soon and puts into place the tools needed to give our Native sisters, mothers and daughters greater security. No longer will these women be invisible, and may the memory of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind live on in the law that bears her name. I thank my colleague Senator Murkowski for leading this bill with me and the President for signing this bipartisan legislation.\u201d \r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n\u201cToday we\u2019ve reached a huge milestone in our efforts to provide justice for victims, healing for their families, and protection for women, children, and families across the nation. I\u2019m proud that we have elevated this issue from raising awareness, to action\u2014having created enduring policy to make real, lasting change. And the way to make that necessary change is through partnerships, coordination, and pooling resources\u2014by working to solve this problem, together. Today we are reminding these families, they matter and their loved ones who are lost matter,\u201d said Senator Murkowski. <\/strong>\u201cAdvancing these bills has been a top priority of mine and I applaud my Senate colleagues and the administration for their support in recognizing the importance of doing everything in our power to turn the tide of women and girls falling victim to this epidemic.\u201d\r\n<\/p>\r\n
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