On December 20, 2024, the U.S. Senate approved S. 1723, known as the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act, with an amendment through unanimous consent. The bill now awaits action from the U.S. House of Representatives to be passed before the legislative session concludes.
This legislation aims to investigate the U.S. government's involvement in the Indian boarding school system and offers a path toward healing for Native communities. After years of bipartisan collaboration, S. 1723 has garnered support from both political parties and faith-based organizations and is funded through existing budget allocations.
The significance of this bill lies in its budget-neutral status and bipartisan backing. It seeks to address historical injustices by ensuring that survivors' stories are acknowledged. Failure to pass it this year could result in prolonged delays before reconsideration.
Advocates are urging immediate outreach to House leadership to bring this bill to a vote. They encourage contacting members of the Native American Caucus and Republican co-sponsors of the House version of the Truth and Reconciliation Act to prompt Leader Scalise and Speaker Johnson to put S. 1723 on suspension for passage.
Alternatively, constituents can call key leaders' offices directly:
- Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana: (202)-225-2777
- Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Louisiana: (202)-225-3015
- Republican Bill Lead Tom Cole, Oklahoma: (580)-357-2131
- Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, New York: (202)-225-5936
Supporters emphasize that pressing U.S. House leadership is crucial for making time for this bill so it can be signed into law by the president. They stress explaining its importance for Indian Country when speaking with Congressional representatives.
Key points include:
1. The bill incurs no cost as it is fully funded.
2. All conservatives in the Senate supported it without objections.
3. Amendments were made to secure backing from faith-based groups.
Details on S. 1723 can be found at https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1723.
Further information is available through the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition and NARF's efforts toward boarding school healing.
