07.10.01

Senator Maria Cantwell to Join Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

WASHINGTON, DC-Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today announced that Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) has asked her to serve as a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. In accepting the post, Senator Cantwell becomes the only member of the Committee from the Pacific Northwest. In addition to the Indian Affairs Committee, she will retain her seats on the Energy and Natural Resources, Judiciary, and Small Business Committees.

"My new position on the Indian Affairs Committee gives me an important opportunity to become involved in issues that affect Native Americans both in Washington state and nationally," Cantwell said, "I look forward to working with Tribal leaders, Chairman Inouye, and Vice-Chairman Campbell on the many important issues before the Committee."

Indian Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) said, "The Committee and the Senate are most fortunate to have Senator Cantwell become a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. The State of Washington is home to twenty-eight tribes -- tribes that have provided leadership throughout Indian country -- and I know the leaders of these tribes look upon Senator Cantwell as one of their great supporters. I am certain they will be most pleased to learn of this development."

The Committee on Indian Affairs has jurisdiction to study issues related to American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native peoples. These issues include Indian education, land management, economic development, health care, and claims against the United States.