Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Quick Facts
- Members
- 11
- Chair
- Murkowski, Lisa(R)
- Subcommittees
- 0
- Referred Bills
- 20
About
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has jurisdiction to study the unique problems of American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native peoples and to propose legislation to alleviate these difficulties. These issues include Native education, economic development, land management, trust responsibilities, health care, and claims against the United States. All legislation proposed by Members of the Senate that specifically pertains to American Indians, Native Hawaiians, or Alaska Natives is under the jurisdiction of the committee.
Bills referred to the committee follow the standard legislative process: they are assigned to the committee, reviewed in hearings and markups, and then reported to the full Senate floor for consideration by all 100 senators. The committee conducts oversight of federal agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service, and holds hearings on policy issues affecting Native communities.
Lisa Murkowski is serving as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. She has been a member of the Committee since first joining the Senate in 2003 and previously served as Vice Chairman from 2007 to 2009 and 2021 to 2025. Brian Schatz serves as Vice Chairman. Recent legislative activity reflects the committee's broad mandate: bills under consideration address tribal water rights settlements, Indian health care improvements, tribal land management, and tribal gaming regulation, among other matters affecting Native American communities.
AI-generated summary
Members (11)
Referred Legislation (20)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Latest Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| S. 953 | Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 | β | 2026-03-11 |
| S. 4053 | A bill to take certain land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Pechanga Band of Indians, and for other purposes. | Padilla, Alex | 2026-03-11 |
| S. 723 | Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025 | β | 2026-03-04 |
| S. 3994 | A bill to amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act to authorize Tribal meat inspection under that Act by Tribal personnel, and for other purposes. | Mullin, Markwayne | 2026-03-04 |
| S. 3859 | A bill to amend the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993 with respect to future membership in the Catawba Indian Nation. | Graham, Lindsey | 2026-02-12 |
| S. 1055 |