Cantwell Selected as Chair of the Indian Affairs Committee

Statement

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) made the following statement after being selected by the Democratic Steering Committee to serve as Chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

Cantwell is expected to officially assume the Chairmanship of the Committee Monday, January 21, 2013. She succeeds U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka who retired at the end of the 112th Congress. She has been a member of the Indian Affairs Committee since her first year in the U.S. Senate in 2001.

"I am honored to be selected to chair the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, following the tremendous leadership of Senator Akaka," said Senator Cantwell. "I am proud of my work with Washington state Tribes, on issues such as self-determination, education, health care and environmental issues including salmon restoration. I would be proud to serve as the first female chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee."

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