Bill To Repeal Outdated Laws On Indians Unanimously Clears Senate

    A bill by South Dakota U-S Senator Mike Rounds to repeal outdated or discriminatory laws targeting Native Americans has been passed by the Senate without a single no vote.

         The RESPECT –  Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes – Act repeals 11 outdated federal laws, including ones that withhold payments to “intoxicated Indians.” 

        Others withhold rations due to nonattendance at school and involve the forcible relocation of Native children to Indian boarding schools.

      The bill now goes to the House, where companion legislation was introduced last month by a group of lawmakers including South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson.

      The RESPECT Act has the support of both the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association and the National Congress of American Indians.