Dear Representative: Pass the Tribal Law and Order Act

Jun 11, 2010

Dear Representative Smith,

We from the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) write you today to express our strong support of the Tribal Law and Order Act, H.R. 1924. When Indian tribes ceded their lands, the United States made promises through treaties and other agreements. Among them was the establishment of a trust responsibility for the safety and well-being of Indian peoples in perpetuity.

The federal government has never successfully fulfilled this responsibility. Federal legislation, accumulated over decades, has made the criminal justice system in Indian Country extremely complicated, with authority split among tribes, states and the federal government.

The Tribal Law and Order Act would improve the system and begin to address these shortfalls. The bill takes a comprehensive approach toward reforming the justice system by establishing accountability measures for federal agencies responsible for investigating and prosecuting reservation crime, and by encouraging better coordination and collaboration between tribal, local, state, and federal law enforcement. In particular it will improve the safety of Native women, who are especially subject to violence; studies have shown that Native American women face a one in three chance of being raped in their lifetimes.

FCNL celebrates the recent passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act in the Senate with strong bipartisan support. We urge you to work with your colleagues to expedite its passage in the House.

Thank you for your work.

Sincerely,

Ruth Flower
Legislative Director
(202) 903-2524
flower@fcnl.org

Inez Steigerwald
Native American Advocacy Program
(202) 903-2511
inez@fcnl.org