{"id":367178,"date":"2026-01-06T14:42:34","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T20:42:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=367178"},"modified":"2026-01-07T14:02:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T20:02:41","slug":"president-trump-vetoes-tribal-homelands-bill-with-swipe-at-trust-relationship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2026\/01\/06\/president-trump-vetoes-tribal-homelands-bill-with-swipe-at-trust-relationship\/","title":{"rendered":"President Trump vetoes tribal homelands bill with swipe at trust relationship"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\">\r\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jrRoxNqeVbU?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Indianz.Com Video: <a href=https:\/\/youtu.be\/jrRoxNqeVbU>Chairman Talbert Cypress: H.R.504, the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n<div class=\"h3-responsive font-weight-bold\">President Trump vetoes tribal homelands bill with swipe at trust relationship<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"date\">Tuesday, January 6, 2026<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"byline\">By Acee Agoyo<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"source\">Indianz.Com<\/div>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nThe first year of the Donald Trump era ended with yet another strike on Indian Country, this one coming straight from the White House.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nOn December 30, President Trump vetoed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/119th-congress\/house-bill\/504\">H.R.504<\/a>, the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act. The bill, which enjoys bipartisan support, had easily passed the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.house.gov\/\">U.S. House of Representatives<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.senate.gov\/\">U.S. Senate<\/a> following years of work by the <a href=\"https:\/\/miccosukee.com\/miccosukee-tribe-history\/\">Miccosukee Tribe<\/a> to protect an important part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/ever\/learn\/news\/osceola-cure-plan-ea.htm\">heritage and history of the Everglades<\/a> in Florida.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n&#8220;My ancestors lived in the Osceola Camp for generations,&#8221;  <a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/shorts\/chVOLS1iMZM?feature=share\">Chairman Talbert Cypress said in Congressional testimony<\/a> in support of adding a significant piece of  land to the Miccosukee Reservation, one named after a <a href=https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Osceola>prominent tribal leader<\/a> who fought the United States during a series of wars nearly two centuries ago.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<div class=row><div class=col-7>\r\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"386\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/chVOLS1iMZM\" title=\"&#39;\u200aMy ancestors lived in the Osceola Camp for generations&#39;\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"col-5 align-self-end\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nBut in refusing to sign the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/119th-congress\/house-bill\/504\/cosponsors\">Republican-led legislation<\/a>, Trump made it clear that he was exacting present-day retribution on the Miccosukee people. He accused the tribe of obstructing his highly contested immigration agenda, compared the federal government&#8217;s legal obligations to &#8220;taxpayer handouts&#8221; and even disputed the connection that Osceola and his clan had to their homelands.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n&#8220;My Administration is committed to preventing American taxpayers from funding projects for special interests, especially those that are unaligned with my Administration\u2019s policy of removing violent criminal illegal aliens from the country,&#8221; Trump said in a veto message, one of the first two of his presidency.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nIn likening the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bia.gov\/faqs\/what-federal-indian-trust-responsibility\">trust and treaty obligations<\/a> of the federal government to &#8220;special treatment,&#8221; Trump went against long-standing principles of law and policy. Tribal nations are recognized  as sovereign governments and maintain a nation-to-nation relationship with the United States &#8212; a relationship characterized by the <a href=https:\/\/narf.org\/about-tribal-nations-united-states-treaties\/>U.S. Supreme Court as  \u201cmoral obligations of the highest responsibility and trust.\u201d<\/a>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n&#8220;The Department of the Interior upholds the\r\nfederal government\u2019s unique trust responsibilities by fostering the\r\ngovernment-to-government relations between the Federal government and\r\nfederally recognized tribes, American Indians, and Alaska Natives,&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SecretaryBurgum\">Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum<\/a>, who was nominated to the cabinet-level post by Trump, said in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.doi.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/2025-05\/20250521-doi-fy26-budget-s-approps-burgum.pdf\">Congressional testimony<\/a>.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nAnd in vetoing H.R.504, Trump ignored the intense loyalty shown to him by <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_congressional_delegations_from_Florida\">Florida&#8217;s overwhelmingly Republican Congressional delegation<\/a>. The <a href=\"https:\/\/gimenez.house.gov\/2025\/1\/congressman-carlos-gimenez-introduces-bill-to-incorporate-osceola-camp-into-the-mra\">Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act was introduced in the House by Rep. Carlos Gimenez<\/a> (R-Florida), a vocal supporter of the president, and is being  co-sponsored by three equally supportive Republicans in the chamber.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<div class=row><div class=col-7>\r\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"386\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Oruurjz5skg\" title=\"&#39;Imminent and substantial risk of frequent flooding&#39;\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"col-5 align-self-end\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n The companion bill in the Senate  boasts the support of both Republicans from Florida &#8212; including the lawmaker who replaced former Senator <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Marco_Rubio\">Marco Rubio<\/a> after he joined the cabinet as <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SecRubio\">Secretary of State<\/a>. During his time in Congress, Rubio in fact   introduced a <a href=https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/118th-congress\/senate-bill\/2783>prior version of the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act<\/a> in that chamber and even <a href=https:\/\/www.rickscott.senate.gov\/2024\/3\/sens-rick-scott-marco-rubio-express-concerns-highlight-miccosukee-tribe-opposition-to-big-cypress-national-preserve-wilderness-designation>advocated for the Miccosukee Tribe<\/a> in connection with land and management issues in the Everglades.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nBut if Indian Country were looking to elected politicians to speak out in defense of the trust relationship, little was to be found in the days following the veto. Instead, Florida&#8217;s Republicans were <a href=https:\/\/x.com\/RepCarlos\/status\/2007384312438784428>eagerly and frequently<\/a> congratulating Trump for a different strike &#8212; his controversial attack on Venezuela and the capture and removal of its president to the U.S. &#8212; and were <a href=https:\/\/x.com\/RepCarlos\/status\/2007386756333871135>encouraging more such actions<\/a> on foreign soil.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nStill, as the 119th Congress convenes for its second session starting Tuesday, lawmakers  are giving themselves a chance to fulfill the obligations of the U.S. government. The Republican-led House is considering  an override of Trump&#8217;s veto later this week, according to the <a href=https:\/\/www.majorityleader.gov\/schedule\/weekly-schedule.htm>Majority Leader&#8217;s Calendar<\/a>.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nThe veto of H.R.504, the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act, came on the same day as the <a href=https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/briefings-statements\/2025\/12\/congressional-bill-h-r-131-vetoed\/>veto of a second Republican-sponsored bill<\/a>: <a href=https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/119th-congress\/house-bill\/131>H.R.131<\/a>, the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act, which was <a href=\"https:\/\/boebert.house.gov\/media\/press-releases\/congresswoman-lauren-boeberts-finish-arkansas-valley-conduit-act-passes-0\">introduced by  Rep. Lauren Boebert<\/a> (R-Colorado), another one of the president&#8217;s most ardent supporters. The vetoes were the first of Trump&#8217;s second term in office.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nTo <a href=https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/crs-product\/RS22654>override a veto<\/a> on either H.R.504 or H.R.131, the House must vote first, since the bills originated in the chamber. At least two-thirds of the members must vote in the affirmative to overcome the veto.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nH.R.504 was brought up  in the House under a <a href=https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/crs-product\/98-314>suspension of the rules<\/a>, a procedure typically used for legislation that is considered non-controversial. The bill was approved by a voice vote on July 14, 2025, indicating widespread support of at least two-thirds of the membership.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nAssuming the House successfully overrides the veto of H.R.504, the matter can be considered by the Senate, where a vote of two-thirds is also required. The chamber approved H.R.504 by unanimous consent on December 11, 2025, indicating near unanimous support for adding the Osceola Camp to the homelands of the Miccosukee Tribe.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n <blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DPwcuekkVzz\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DPwcuekkVzz\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DPwcuekkVzz\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by Miccosukee Tribe of Indians (@miccosukeetribeofindians)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\r\n<script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\r\n<figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida: <a href=https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DPwcuekkVzz\/?hl=en>Celebrating Miccosukee Day  &#8211; October 2025<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nThe tribe has not publicly commented on the legislative strategy going forward. But <a href=https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/12\/31\/statement-chairman-of-miccosukee-tribe-on-veto-of-homelands-bill\/>Chairman Cypress issued a statement on December 31<\/a>, noting that the Miccosukees have a personal connection to the 49th president of the United States, whose private club &#8212; where he often conducts official government activities &#8212; is located in Florida.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n&#8220;The late Chairman Billy Cypress, who served for 27 years as the chief executive of our tribe and passed away earlier this year, enjoyed a friendship with President Trump and was an early supporter of his campaign in 2016,&#8221; <a href=https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DS76unzDp3k\/?hl=en>said Cypress<\/a>, who   <a href=https:\/\/miccosukee.com\/miccosukee-tribe-history\/talbert-cypress-chairman\/>joined the  Miccosukee business council<\/a> in 2017, serving as chair since 2021.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n&#8220;The Tribe has a constitutional duty to protect and defend the Everglades ecosystem, our traditional homelands,&#8221; Cypress continued. &#8220;We have never sought to obstruct the President\u2019s immigration agenda. Instead, we have taken action to ensure sufficient environmental due diligence is performed to protect federal restoration investments.&#8221;\r\n<P><\/p>\r\nOn July 15, 2025, Cypress announced the tribe&#8217;s request to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/miccosukeetribeofindians\/posts\/pfbid0PPDm1tYZzXmQcRDVZeHLteNCn9qbdLD7rvGmr2r4XAzqgbPxNTyhD5rbnzZ7fyy3l\">join an ongoing lawsuit affecting the Everglades<\/a>. Environmental and conservation groups had already <a href=https:\/\/www.everglades.org\/stop-alligator-alcatraz\/>sued the Department of Homeland Security<\/a> for the federal government&#8217;s use of an immigration detention facility operated by the state of Florida. The facility infamously became known as <a href=https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alligator_Alcatraz>Alligator Alcatraz<\/a> due to its presence in the Everglades.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmiccosukeetribeofindians%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0PPDm1tYZzXmQcRDVZeHLteNCn9qbdLD7rvGmr2r4XAzqgbPxNTyhD5rbnzZ7fyy3l&#038;show_text=true&#038;width=500\" width=\"500\" height=\"609\" style=\"border:none;overflow:hidden\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share\"><\/iframe>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nFollowing the tribe&#8217;s intervention over threats to sacred sites and risks to school children, a federal judge put a halt to the <a href=\"https:\/\/biologicaldiversity.org\/w\/news\/press-releases\/judge-halts-operations-at-everglades-detention-center-with-preliminary-injunction-2025-08-21\/\">federal government&#8217;s involvement at Alligator Alcatraz<\/a>. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, however, <a href=\"https:\/\/biologicaldiversity.org\/w\/news\/press-releases\/appeals-court-allows-destructive-everglades-facility-to-stay-open-2025-10-22\/\">allowed work to continue<\/a> without fully hearing the dispute on the merits. The site became operational last October.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n&#8220;We were disappointed to learn that the White House vetoed a measure intended to mitigate restoration impacts on a Tribal village,&#8221; Cypress said in his December 30 statement, noting the lack of a connection between Osceola Camp and the detention facility other than litigation.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n&#8220;The Osceola Camp, a historic Miccosukee community within Everglades National Park, faces serious flood and environmental risks,&#8221; Cypress continued. &#8220;The measure reflected years of bipartisan work and was intended to clarify land status and support basic protections for tribal members who have lived in this area for generations\u2014before the roads and canals were built, and before Everglades National Park was created.&#8221;\r\n<P><\/p>\r\n&#8220;It was not about special treatment, but about public safety, environmental stewardship, and honoring long-recognized tribal interests,&#8221;   Cypress added, directly addressing claims about the trust responsibility of the United States.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" data-attachment-id=\"368550\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2026\/01\/06\/president-trump-vetoes-tribal-homelands-bill-with-swipe-at-trust-relationship\/talbertcypress\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/06\/TalbertCypress.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2048,1365\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Talbert Cypress\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Talbert Cypress&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Chairman Talbert Cypress of the Miccosukee Tribe testifies in support of H.R.504, the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act, at a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs in Washington, D.C., on February 5, 2025. Photo: &lt;a href=https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/199742285@N04\/54309409484\/&gt; House Committee on Natural Resources Republicans&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/06\/TalbertCypress.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/06\/TalbertCypress.jpg\" alt=\"Talbert Cypress\"   class=\"size-full wp-image-368550\" \/><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\"> Chairman Talbert Cypress of the Miccosukee Tribe testifies in support of H.R.504, the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act, at a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs in Washington, D.C., on February 5, 2025. Photo: <a href=https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/199742285@N04\/54309409484\/> House Committee on Natural Resources Republicans<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nWhen Congress <a href=https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/105th-congress\/senate-bill\/1419\/text>recognized the Miccosukee Reserved Area (MRA) in 1998<\/a>, the law promised that the &#8220;Tribe shall have the  exclusive right to use and develop the MRA in perpetuity in a manner  consistent with this Act for purposes of the administration, education, \r\nhousing, and cultural activities of the Tribe, including commercial \r\nservices necessary to support those purposes.&#8221;\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nThe law further stated that the &#8220;MRA shall remain within the boundaries&#8221; of the <a href=https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/ever\/>Everglades National Park<\/a>, which is managed by the <a href=https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/>National Park Service<\/a>, an agency of the <a href=https:\/\/www.doi.gov\/>Department of the Interior<\/a>. Camp Osceola is located within the national park.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n&#8220;The Miccosukee Reserved Area Act of 1998 has been a resounding success for the tribe and  for the Everglades National Park,&#8221; Cypress said in in <a href=https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/02\/07\/audio-legislative-hearing-on-h-r-410-h-r-412-h-r-504-h-r-741\/>testimony to the House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs<\/a> on <a href=https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/02\/05\/house-subcommittee-on-indian-and-insular-affairs-holds-first-hearing\/>February 5, 2025<\/a>.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n&#8220;Our residential community, the national park, its   waters and its visitor access have all been well protected,&#8221; Cypress testified.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\">\r\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AQVRCUx9ttI?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Chairman Talbert Cypress: <a href=https:\/\/youtu.be\/AQVRCUx9ttI>H.R.504, the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nAccording to the National Park Service, the <a href=https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/ever\/learn\/news\/osceola-cure-plan-ea.htm>present-day Osceola Camp was established in 1935<\/a> but the agency pointed out that the <a href=https:\/\/parkplanning.nps.gov\/document.cfm?parkID=374&#038;projectID=95363&#038;documentID=132461>Everglades have been &#8220;part of the ancestral territory&#8221;<\/a> of the Miccosukees for thousands of years.  Cypress described the 30-acre site  as the village of his father&#8217;s family.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n&#8220;The Osceola Camp is not only home to  tribal members, but it is also a site of historical and cultural  importance,&#8221; Rep. Gimenez, the sponsor of H.R.504, said during <a href=https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/07\/16\/audio-h-r-504-the-miccosukee-reserved-area-amendments-act\/>consideration of the bill<\/a> last July.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n&#8220;This bill is about fairness and conservation,&#8221; <a href=https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/QCM8c-9DW80>added Gimenez<\/a>. &#8220;It ensures the Miccosukee Tribe has the autonomy to protect their home, their land and their way of life.&#8221;\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\">\r\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NYMcH0RaHEg?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Indianz.Com Video: <a href=https:\/\/youtu.be\/NYMcH0RaHEg>U.S. House of Representatives &#8211; H.R.504, the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act &#8211; July 14, 2025<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"h4-responsive\">Related Stories<\/div><div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/12\/31\/statement-chairman-of-miccosukee-tribe-on-veto-of-homelands-bill\/\" title=\"Statement: Chairman of Miccosukee Tribe on veto of homelands bill\">Statement: Chairman of Miccosukee Tribe on veto of homelands bill<\/a> (December 31, 2025)<\/div><div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/08\/25\/native-america-calling-tribal-concerns-help-derail-fast-track-for-alligator-alcatraz\/\" title=\"Native America Calling: Tribal concerns help derail fast-track for \u2018Alligator Alcatraz\u2019\">Native America Calling: Tribal concerns help derail fast-track for \u2018Alligator Alcatraz\u2019<\/a> (August 25, 2025)<\/div><div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/07\/16\/audio-h-r-504-the-miccosukee-reserved-area-amendments-act\/\" title=\"AUDIO: H.R.504, the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act\">AUDIO: H.R.504, the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act<\/a> (July 16, 2025)<\/div><div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/07\/14\/house-of-representatives-adds-two-indian-country-bills-to-agenda\/\" title=\"House of Representatives adds two Indian Country bills to agenda\">House of Representatives adds two Indian Country bills to agenda<\/a> (July 14, 2025)<\/div><div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/06\/26\/audio-house-committee-on-natural-resources-markup\/\" title=\"AUDIO: House Committee on Natural Resources Markup\">AUDIO: House Committee on Natural Resources Markup<\/a> (June 26, 2025)<\/div><div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/03\/06\/lets-get-em-all-done-senate-committee-moves-quickly-on-indian-country-legislation\/\" title=\"\u2018Let\u2019s get \u2019em all done\u2019: Senate committee moves quickly on Indian Country legislation\">\u2018Let\u2019s get \u2019em all done\u2019: Senate committee moves quickly on Indian Country legislation<\/a> (March 6, 2025)<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/03\/06\/audio-senate-committee-on-indian-affairs-business-meeting-to-consider-several-bills\/\" title=\"AUDIO: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Business Meeting to consider several bills\">AUDIO: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Business Meeting to consider several bills<\/a> (March 6, 2025)<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/03\/06\/video-scia-business-meeting-march-5-20255\/\" title=\"VIDEO: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Business Meeting to consider several bills\">VIDEO: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Business Meeting to consider several bills<\/a> (March 6, 2025)<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/03\/03\/senate-committee-on-indian-affairs-schedules-business-meeting-to-consider-bills\/\" title=\"Senate Committee on Indian Affairs schedules business meeting to consider bills\">Senate Committee on Indian Affairs schedules business meeting to consider bills<\/a> (March 3, 2025)<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/02\/07\/audio-legislative-hearing-on-h-r-410-h-r-412-h-r-504-h-r-741\/\" title=\"AUDIO: Legislative Hearing on H.R.410, H.R.412, H.R.504 &#038; 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