Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) discusses efforts to address the U. S. Supreme Court decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma.
The 2020 decision confirmed the existence of Indian Country in eastern Oklahoma, meaning tribes and the federal government exercise jurisdiction over most criminal activity. But Cole said the federal government has failed to provide adequate funding for tribal justice systems.
"In Indian Country, only the federal government and tribal law enforcement officials can prosecute Indians who commit crimes, again, on Indian reservations. That, obviously, in the state of Oklahoma, will now call for enormously robust federal law enforcement and tribal law enforcement capabilities," Cole said on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on July 28, 2021.
Through an amendment to an appropriations bill, Cole sought an additional $154 million in federal funds to address the situation. The money would have been added to the budget for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Lawmakers, however, rejected the amendment as part of a vote that took place on July 27. Despite the setback, Cole said he plans to continue working on the issue.
"Regardless, that Supreme Court decision, the McGirt decision, means the federal government and tribal law enforcement officials must do more in this area. Again, one of the bills in front of us helps with regard to the federal government. I am hopeful, in the final negotiations, we can do more on McGirt," said Cole, who is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation.
The funding bill is H.R.4502. It passed the House on July 29.
