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Passage of the Winnebago Land Transfer Act

Floor Speech

Date: March 7, 2024
Location: Washington, DC

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Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1240, the Winnebago Land Transfer Act, introduced by my colleague, Mr. Feenstra from Iowa. This critical bill would transfer rightfully-owed land back to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. The land in question was taken from the Tribe in an illegal acquisition, and due to complex legal stipulations within the most recent court proceedings pertaining to this matter, the land has still not been returned to the Tribe. Legal complications of these sorts when it comes to federal tribal trust responsibility are an all-too-common phenomenon for Indian Country and demonstrates the importance of a strong relationship between the federal government and tribes. This bill would reinstate the autonomy of the land back to the Winnebago Tribe and protect their sovereignty. The state of Iowa, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and two affected counties are supportive of this bill, and have demonstrated their support for this cause. I applaud my colleagues who have moved swiftly to pass this bill.

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