Native American Legislative Update

Interior Department Audit Finds Severe Backlogs and Staffing Gaps in BIA’s Missing and Murdered Unit

A federal audit released by the Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Missing and Murdered Unit — created in 2021 to address the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) crisis — has been plagued by staffing shortages, case backlogs, a

Peggy Flanagan Wins Minnesota DFL Senate Primary, Could Become First Native Woman in Senate

Peggy Flanagan, an enrolled citizen of the White Earth Nation and Minnesota’s current Lieutenant Governor, won the Democratic primary to fill the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Tina Smith (MN). Running under the Democratic-Farmer-Labor banner, she captured approximately 59 percent of the vote in a field of six candidates.

House Subcommittees Examine Technology’s Role in Addressing MMIP Crisis

On July 14, the House Natural Resources Subcommittees on Indian and Insular Affairs and Oversight and Investigations held a joint hearing titled “Leveraging Technology in the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons.” The hearing examined how emerging technologies and improved interagency coordination can strengthen law enforcement responses in tribal communities facing the Missing and Murdered

Sen. Schatz Presses 15 Institutions to Return Native Remains

On June 17, 2026, Sen.

Congress Honors May 5 as National Day of Awareness for MMIWG

Congress marked May 5, 2026, as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) with both chambers introducing bipartisan resolutions. In the House, Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-3) and Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-4) introduced a resolution with cosponsors from both parties.

Budget Request Would Cut Hundreds of Millions from Indian Country but Increase Health Service Funding

On April 3, the White House

Cherokee Nation Citizen Markwayne Mullin Named Department of Homeland Security Secretary

Cherokee Nation citizen Markwayne Mullin was sworn in on March 24, 2026, as the ninth Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A former U.S. senator from Oklahoma and longtime member of Congress, Mullin’s confirmation followed his nomination by President Donald Trump and a Senate vote earlier in March.

Truth and Healing Commission Bill Reintroduced in the House 

On February 3, Representatives Tom Cole (OK-4) and Sharice Davids (KS-3) reintroduced the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act (H.R. 7325, S.761) in the House. The Truth and Healing bill is FCNL’s Native American Advocacy lobbying priority.

House and Senate Pass Interior Appropriations Bill, Reject Most Proposed Cuts for Indian Country

On January 15, 2026, the Senate passed H.R. 6938 (Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026). This bill funds three areas of government, including the Department of the Interior, through September 30, 2026.

Halito F/friends!

From all of us at FCNL, we hope you had a peaceful holiday season. In this delayed issue of December’s Native American Legislative Update, we are looking back at a year of federal policy wins. While a new Congress and administration have brought trouble and uncertainty, tribal advocates have successfully secured major wins for Indian Country. If you’d like to support our work, consider making a donation here.