Key Takeaways
- •The subcommittee reviewed three bipartisan bills to resolve Miami Tribe land claims, transfer Albuquerque Indian School land to 19 Pueblos, and restore Seneca Nation criminal jurisdiction.
- •Bryan Mercier (Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs) supported the Albuquerque land transfer but called for more coordination with the Justice Department on the Illinois and New York bills.
- •Rep. Cole (R, OK-4) pressed Mercier on the necessity of federal legislation to resolve the Miami Tribe's 1805 treaty claims and clear property titles for Illinois landowners.
- •While members showed broad bipartisan support, Rep. Huffman (D, CA-2) highlighted concerns from the Ho-Chunk Nation regarding the Miami Tribe’s specific land claims in the Wabash River watershed.
- •These bills aim to rectify historic treaty violations, boost tribal economic development through land trust acquisitions, and empower tribal law enforcement to combat fentanyl trafficking in New York.
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Hearing Analysis
Overview
The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs met on March 4, 2026, to consider three bipartisan bills aimed at resolving historical land claims, transferring federal property into trust, and clarifying law enforcement jurisdiction. Chaired by Rep. Jeff Hurd (R, CO-3), the hearing focused on H.R. 2827, H.R. 6162, and H.R. 7065. The proceedings highlighted a broad consensus on the need to uphold treaty obligations and support tribal self-determination, though some technical concerns were raised regarding specific jurisdictional and administrative details.
Key Testimony
The first bill, H.R. 2827, the Equitable Settlement of Certain Indian Land Disputes, was introduced by Rep. Tom Cole (R, OK-4). The legislation addresses a long-standing claim by the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma involving 2.6 million acres in Illinois. Chief Douglas Lankford of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma testified that under the 1805 Treaty of Grouseland, the United States agreed not to purchase specific lands in the Wabash River watershed without the tribe's consent. However, the federal government later transferred this land to non-native settlers without tribal approval or compensation. H.R. 2827 proposes a dual solution: it would immediately extinguish the tribe's claim to the land—thereby clearing the "cloud on title" for current Illinois farmers and landowners—while granting the tribe a one-year window to seek monetary damages against the United States in the United States Court of Federal Claims. Chief Lankford emphasized that the bill was developed in coordination with the Illinois Farm Bureau to ensure local property owners are protected.
The second bill, H.R. 6162, the Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025, sponsored by Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D, NM-1), seeks to transfer 9.89 acres of federal land from the General Services Administration (GSA) into trust for the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico. Monique Fragua, President and CEO of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC), testified that the land was part of the former Albuquerque Indian School, a site historically associated with the trauma of the federal boarding school system. The 19 Pueblos have worked for decades to reclaim this land, transforming it into a vibrant economic and cultural hub. Ms. Fragua noted that the IPCC now generates over $60 million in annual revenue and supports native entrepreneurs through a new commercial kitchen and business center. Bryan Mercier, Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) within the Department of the Interior (DOI), confirmed the department's support for the bill, noting it aligns with federal policies favoring tribal land consolidation and economic development.
The final bill, H.R. 7065, the Seneca Nation Law Enforcement Efficiency Act, was introduced by Rep. Nicholas Langworthy (R, NY-23). The bill addresses a 1948 federal law, known as Section 232, which granted the state of New York criminal jurisdiction over the Seneca Nation of Indians. President J.C. Seneca of the Seneca Nation testified that this jurisdictional framework has created "enforcement gaps" that drug traffickers have exploited to move fentanyl and heroin through tribal lands. H.R. 7065 would allow the Seneca Nation and the U.S. Attorney General to mutually agree to nullify the 1948 law's applicability, effectively restoring federal and tribal jurisdiction. Rep. Addison McDowell (R, NC-6) and Rep. Mike Kennedy (R, UT-3) spoke in support of the measure, arguing that streamlining authority is essential for public safety and combating the national fentanyl crisis.
Policy Proposals
Partisan dynamics were largely collaborative, with members from both parties emphasizing the importance of tribal sovereignty. However, Rep. Jared Huffman (D, CA-2) entered letters into the record from the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin and a former Department of Justice (DOJ) attorney raising concerns about H.R. 2827, suggesting that the bill might impact other tribes' historical interests. In response, Rep. Cole and Chief Lankford clarified that the bill is narrowly tailored to the Treaty of Grouseland and does not prevent other tribes from seeking their own legislative remedies.
Overview
The hearing also touched on broader administrative issues. Rep. Stansbury pressed Director Mercier for a commitment to high-level, nation-to-nation consultation regarding any potential restructuring of the BIA or the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). She highlighted that the IPCC campus currently serves as a landlord for regional BIA, BIE, and Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) offices, a relationship she wished to maintain. Ranking Member Teresa Leger Fernandez (D, NM-3) questioned Director Mercier on law enforcement funding, noting that a 2021 report found BIA public safety was funded at only 13 percent of the identified need.
Key Testimony
The organizations identified during the hearing played various roles: the Seneca Nation of Indians and Miami Tribe of Oklahoma were the primary proponents of jurisdictional and land claim reforms; the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center were the intended beneficiaries of the Albuquerque land transfer; the Department of the Interior and Bureau of Indian Affairs provided technical testimony and administrative support; the General Services Administration was identified as the current holder of the Albuquerque surplus property; the Illinois Farm Bureau was cited as a key supporter of the Miami Tribe's effort to clear land titles; and the United States Court of Federal Claims was designated as the venue for future litigation under H.R. 2827.
The subcommittee did not announce specific deadlines, but Chairman Hurd and Director Mercier expressed a desire for continued dialogue with the Department of Justice regarding the law enforcement compacts proposed in H.R. 7065. Rep. Stansbury urged "due haste" in passing H.R. 6162 to prevent the GSA from disposing of the Albuquerque property to other entities.
Transcript
Good morning, everyone. The Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs will come to order. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare recess of the subcommittee at any time. The subcommittee is meeting today to hear testimony on three bills that are before us. Under committee rule 4f, any oral opening statements at hearings are limited to the chairman and to the ranking minority member. I therefore ask unanimous consent that all other members' opening statements be made part of the hearing record if they are submitted in accordance with committee rule 3o. Without objection, so ordered. Ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Oklahoma, Mr. Cole, the gentleman from New York, Mr. Langworthy, the gentleman from New Mexico, Ms. Stansbury, and the gentleman from New York, Mr. Kennedy be allowed to sit and participate in today's hearing. Without objection, so ordered. I will now recognize myself for a brief opening statement. Good morning again, everyone. Thank you to our witnesses for being here today as we consider three important bills to Indian Country. H.R. 2827, sponsored by Congressman Cole of Oklahoma, addresses long-standing treaty-based land claims involving property in Illinois and establishes a structured legal pathway to resolve those claims. For years, questions surrounding historic treaty language and land sessions have created uncertainty for both private landowners and the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. H.R. 2827 establishes a clear, final, and time-limited process for those claims to be heard on the merits in federal court, ultimately ensuring that current Illinois landowners have clear title to their property. By balancing the opportunity for judicial review with protections for existing property rights, this bill seeks to bring long-standing and long-overdue resolution for both the tribe and current landowners. Our second bill this morning is H.R. 6162, the Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025, sponsored by Congresswoman Stansbury of New Mexico. This bill transfers 9.89 acres of land from the General Services Administration into trust for the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico. This land was previously part of the Albuquerque Indian School and holds cultural and historical significance to the 19 Pueblos. The final bill on our agenda this morning is H.R. 7065, the Seneca Nation Law Enforcement Efficiency Act, sponsored by Congressman Langworthy of New York. This bill allows the Seneca Nation, upon written agreement with the United States Attorney General, to be exempt from a 1948 law that gave criminal jurisdiction over all Indian tribes in the state of New York to the state of New York. The Seneca Nation has reported an increase in drug trafficking through and around their reservation, resulting in higher crime rates. In this context, the jurisdictional structure established by the 1948 law has presented enforcement challenges that criminals have unfortunately exploited. Accordingly, the Seneca Nation is pursuing a mechanism to clarify and strengthen criminal jurisdiction for the nation in coordination with the federal government. I want to thank each of our witnesses for being with us here today to discuss legislation that is important to their communities and their tribes, and I look forward to a productive hearing. At this point, the chair would now recognize the ranking minority member for any statement, Ms. Leger Fernandez.
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