. United States. Congress. Senate. Committee On Indian Affairs (1993- )

About the Author

The Committee on Indian Affairs, established in 1820 as the first Senate committee focused on Native American issues, has long served as a pivotal body in shaping federal policy toward indigenous peoples in the United States. Comprising senators dedicated to oversight and legislation affecting tribal sovereignty, land rights, and economic development, the committee conducts hearings, drafts bills, and advocates for accountability in government-to-tribal relations. A landmark example of its work is the Native American Trust Fund Accounting and Management Reform Act of 1993, which addressed long-standing mismanagement of tribal trust funds by mandating reforms and compensation, including directives for the Secretary of the Interior to pay interest owed to Native American beneficiaries. Through rigorous examinations and bipartisan efforts, the committee continues to champion justice and self-determination for Native nations.