Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

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.