Why I voted Yes on H.R. 538

Statement

I voted "Yes" on H.R. 538, the Native American Energy Act.

This bill would streamline the federal review of energy development projects on Native American lands. Despite the fact that the resources on Tribal land held in Trust by the federal government belong exclusively to Indian tribes or individual Indians, today they are subject to excessive and duplicative regulation by the federal government.

Specifically, the Native American Energy Act would reform the environmental review process by setting hard deadlines for federal agencies to render permitting decisions. Further, H.R. 538 would exempt the land held in trust from the federal regulations relating to hydraulic-fracturing on public land, so that they are subject to the same rules as private landowners. It would also discourage frivolous lawsuits against tribes who are seeking federal permits by denying taxpayer reimbursement to plaintiffs found to have filed a frivolous case for the purpose of delaying a project. The bill would also require these plaintiffs to reimburse defendants for their court costs, with the exception of those incurred by the federal government.

I supported this proposal because it will give Native American tribes more autonomy over their own lands by opening opportunities to develop natural resources consistent with their own priorities and principles.

The bill was approved 254-173.

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