Congressional Roundup: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Advances NCUIH-Endorsed Legislation Impacting Native Communities

On March 5, 2025, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) advanced 25 bills impacting Native communities out of Committee. Among them were three NCUIH-endorsed bills: the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2025 (S.761), the Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act (S.390), and the IHS Workforce Parity Act (S.632).

S.761 – Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2025

• This bill will establish a Commission to examine and investigate the impacts and ongoing effects of the Federal Indian Boarding School policies.
• The Commission would develop recommendations for Congress to promote the healing of historical and intergenerational trauma caused by boarding schools and provide an environment for Native people to speak about their personal experiences.
• Read the bill text here.

S.390 – Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act

• This bill requires law enforcement agencies to report on cases of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP).
• Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) are eligible entities for the missing or murdered response coordination grant program established by this bill.
• This could allow UIOs to establish and grow programs to assist in developing coordinated responses and investigations for MMIP.
• Read the bill text here.

S.632 – IHS Workforce Parity Act of 2025

• This bill allows recipients (including those work at UIOs) of Indian Health Professions Scholarships or the IHS Loan Repayment Program to fulfill their service obligations through half-time clinical practice.
• Read the bill text here.

Next Steps

The bills have been advanced to the full Senate for consideration, and NCUIH will continue to closely monitor their progress.