WASHINGTON — In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently.
U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Pass Eight Bills
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaiʻi), Vice Chairman of the Committee, led Committee passage of the following eight bills at a business meeting:
- S. 236, To amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the “Long-Term Leasing Act”), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes (Sen. Markey);
- S. 1513, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act (Sen. Cantwell);
- S. 2098, the Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025 (Sen. Murkowski);
- S. 2735, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act (Sen. Padilla);
- H.R. 681, To amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the “Long-Term Leasing Act”), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes (Rep. Keating);
- H.R. 2302, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act (Rep. McClintock);
- H.R. 2388, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act (Rep. Randall); and
- H.R. 3620, the Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025 (Rep. Begich).
The Chairman and Vice Chairman released the following statements:
“I’m proud of the bipartisan progress we made today in advancing these eight bills through committee to the Senate floor, including my bill the Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025. We are now one step closer to enactment, and therefore, enabling SCF to make the needed investments in Quyana Clubhouse to expand the delivery of mental health and social services,” said Chairman Murkowski. “
“These bills advance Tribal sovereignty and self-determination through Tribal decision-making over their own lands, resources, and services aligned with the needs of the members,” said Vice Chairman Schatz.
An archived video is available on the Committee website for both the business meeting and the hearing.
HHS Expands Ebola-Related Entry Restrictions to Green Card Holders
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued an interim final rule expanding federal authority to temporarily restrict entry into the United States during outbreaks of dangerous infectious diseases.
Under the revised rule to 42 CFR Part 71.40, the federal government can now apply temporary entry suspensions to U.S. lawful permanent residents, commonly known as green card holders, when necessary to prevent the spread of highly contagious illnesses.
The change comes amid the current Ebola outbreak and applies to lawful permanent residents who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days. Those individuals may be temporarily prevented from entering the United States under the revised authority.
Federal officials emphasized that the rule does not permanently bar lawful permanent residents from returning to the country. Instead, it grants the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discretionary authority to restrict entry for limited periods during public health emergencies when permitted by law.
HHS said the policy is intended to balance public health protection with emergency response needs during rapidly evolving outbreaks of highly dangerous diseases such as Ebola.
According to the agency, some lawful permanent residents maintain close family and community ties abroad and may travel more frequently to affected regions, potentially increasing the risk of disease exposure and transmission.
DHS Tribal Affairs to Host June Tribal Drop-In Meeting
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Tribal Affairs team will host its monthly tribal drop-in meeting on June 18, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Hosted by DHS Intergovernmental Affairs Tribal Affairs, the virtual meeting will include participation from DHS component tribal liaisons and representatives. Organizers said the monthly sessions are designed to strengthen collaboration, share information, and maintain open communication with Tribal Nations and their representatives.
According to DHS, the meetings are intended to:
- Provide regular opportunities for discussion and information sharing.
- Offer updates on DHS programs, services, and resources available to Tribal Nations.
- Give Tribal Leaders and representatives a chance to ask questions and receive direct responses.
- Create a forum for tribes to share ideas, experiences, and recommendations.
- Build trust, transparency, and ongoing communication between DHS and Tribal Nations.
DHS officials said they hope the meetings will help improve programs and partnerships by learning directly from Tribal Leaders and communities.
Registration is required to receive the meeting invitation. Questions before the meeting can be directed to DHS Tribal Affairs at Tribal.Affairs@hq.dhs.gov.
Please click here for the link to register.