Congress Passes NATIVE Act to Boost Tourism in Tribal Communities

Press Release

U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), praised Congress' passage of S. 1579, Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act).

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), with several bipartisan cosponsors, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). It was passed by the Senate on April 25, 2016, and passed by the House of Representatives on September 12, 2016. The legislation now goes to the president for his signature. The bill was supported by many tribes and tribal organizations, including the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes in Wyoming.

"Congress has passed a bipartisan bill that will expand local tourism in tribal communities," said Chairman Barrasso. "I want to thank both Senators Schatz and Murkowski, who worked tirelessly to move this bill through Congress. The NATIVE Act will spur economic growth and help educate other Americans about Native culture and history. I urge President Obama to sign this bill into law."

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