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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, made the following statement after S. 3240, the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012, passed the Senate 64-35.
"I am pleased that the Senate worked efficiently and effectively to modernize and reform American agriculture policies and programs.
"I am especially grateful that my colleagues honored our trust responsibility and the special government-to-government relationship between the United States and Indian tribal governments by adopting two amendments I authored. The first, which establishes a permanent Office of Tribal Relations within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will enhance outreach, communication, and tribal consultation.
"The second removes barriers to loans and enhances self-determination, which will allow our Native families to be more productive with their own lands. These provisions will help to spur job creation, upgrade infrastructure, encourage small business growth, and enhance economic development on Indian lands and surrounding communities.
"This bill demonstrates that when the Senate works together in a bi-partisan fashion, we produce strong measures that benefit our country. I would like to thank Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) and Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) for their strong leadership and close collaboration.
"It is important that this bill is enacted into law right away so struggling rural families do not have to wait any longer to receive the benefits that this bill provides."
Statement on the inclusion of tribal amendments in the farm bill
Thu, June 21, 2012
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, made the following statement after S. 3240, the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012, passed the Senate 64-35.
"I am pleased that the Senate worked efficiently and effectively to modernize and reform American agriculture policies and programs.
"I am especially grateful that my colleagues honored our trust responsibility and the special government-to-government relationship between the United States and Indian tribal governments by adopting two amendments I authored. The first, which establishes a permanent Office of Tribal Relations within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will enhance outreach, communication, and tribal consultation.
"The second removes barriers to loans and enhances self-determination, which will allow our Native families to be more productive with their own lands. These provisions will help to spur job creation, upgrade infrastructure, encourage small business growth, and enhance economic development on Indian lands and surrounding communities.
"This bill demonstrates that when the Senate works together in a bi-partisan fashion, we produce strong measures that benefit our country. I would like to thank Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) and Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) for their strong leadership and close collaboration.
"It is important that this bill is enacted into law right away so struggling rural families do not have to wait any longer to receive the benefits that this bill provides."
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