Senate unanimously passes two Tester-backed bills that increase safety for children in Indian Country

(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester, Vice-Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, today released the following statement after the Senate unanimously passed the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act and the Native American Child Safety Act.

“Today the Senate passed meaningful legislation that will increase safety for children in Indian Country. These two bills have strong bipartisan support and I urge the House to act swiftly to get them to the President’s desk. While this is a strong step forward, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee still must do more to increase opportunity for children throughout Indian Country.”

The Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act will create a commission to study the challenges Native children face and will develop recommendations for improving services to tribes and Native communities.

Native American Child Safety Act will increase protections for Native American children by requiring tribal agencies to expand background checks for all adults living in foster care homes, not just the foster parents.