Indianz.Com > Leader of National Congress of American Indians slams 'fugitives' bill

21.2.18

Indianz.Com > Leader of National Congress of American Indians slams 'fugitives' bill: During the organization's winter session in Washington, D.C., this week, President Jefferson Keel described H.R.4864, also known as the No Haven for Dangerous Fugitives Act, as one of the "emerging challenges" on Capitol Hill. He called it an "unwarranted bill that disrespects the right and proven ability of tribal governments to exercise criminal jurisdiction on their own lands."

"If Congress is serious about strengthening public safety in and around Indian Country, it should build on tribal nations' successes," Keel said on Tuesday.

One of the ways to do that, Keel said, is to reauthorize the Tribal Law and Order Act. As NCAI was holding its session, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs considered S.1953, a bill to extend the 2010 law, at a business meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

Like H.R.4864, S.1953 is a Republican-led bill. The sponsor is Sen. John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), who serves as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and who spoke at NCAI's conference.