Modifying Deadline Relating to Election by Indian Tribes

Floor Speech

MODIFYING DEADLINE RELATING TO ELECTION BY INDIAN TRIBES

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Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, as the co-chairman and founder of the Congressional Native American Caucus, I rise in support of H.R. 3095, a bill amending the Adam Walsh Child Protection Act of 2006.

Indian tribes are faced with a deadline established in the act that requires tribal governments to affirmatively elect to comply with the mandates of the act by July 27, 2007, or cede their authority for enforcement to the States.

My bill authorizes a 1-year extension of the deadline by which tribes are required to opt into the national sex offender registration and notification system.

Mr. Speaker, tribes strongly support the Adam Walsh Act, and they share the Federal Government's commitment to protecting their communities from sexual predators. However, tribes are asking us to extend the deadline so that they can make an informed decision on how to implement the mandates of the Adam Walsh Act.

The Department of Justice is still in its comment period on the proposed guidelines, which does not close until August 1. It is simply too early to force tribal governments to make a decision based on incomplete information and without guidance from the administration.

Mr. Speaker, I have received numerous requests from tribes across the Nation urging our support for a 1-year extension. I have letters from the National Congress of American Indians and the National Criminal Justice Administration supporting the request, also.

I'm pleased that this bill has received bipartisan support. I want to thank my colleagues from across the aisle for supporting this legislation.

I want to thank my chairman, Judiciary chairman, John Conyers; and Ranking Member Lamar Smith especially for their support as well.

I urge my colleagues to support final passage of this bill.

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