Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

08/07/2026

The Senate confirmed Mark Cruz to serve as Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs shared the following statement:

"I congratulate Mark Cruz on his confirmation to serve as Indian Health Service Director. Throughout the confirmation process, Mr. Cruz demonstrated a strong understanding of the challenges facing Tribal communities and a commitment to improving Native health outcomes. I look forward to working with Mr. Cruz as he delivers on his commitments to strengthen the Indian Health Service and improve health outcomes for Tribal communities."

Cruz’s confirmation follows his nomination hearing before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, where Chairman Murkowski expressed her support for his nomination and emphasized the importance of strong leadership at the Indian Health Service. During the hearing, Cruz committed to working with Tribal leaders and Congress to strengthen Tribal consultation, improve accountability, and address longstanding challenges facing IHS, including infrastructure needs and resource constraints.

More information on the nomination hearing can be found here:

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, led a nomination hearing to consider Mr. Mark Cruz, of Oregon, to be Director of the Indian Health Service within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and expressed her intent to support his nomin...

08/05/2026

Happening today: Chairman Murkowski and Vice Chairman Schatz will lead a business meeting at 2:00 p.m. ET to consider legislation currently before the Committee.

The Committee will consider the following bills:

- S. 239, Crow Revenue Act
- S. 1055, Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act
- S. 1514, Quinault Nation Land Transfer Act
- S. 3219, Albuquerque Indian School Act
- H.R. 2400, Pit River Land Transfer Act

The business meeting will be webcast live and archived at the link below:

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08/04/2026

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hold a roundtable today, Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET titled, "Tracking Prediction Markets' Exponential Growth: Tribal Implications and Beyond."

This event is focused on how prediction markets - platforms where people can trade on the outcome of various events - should be regulated. The discussion will bring together Members of Congress, Tribal leaders, state officials, and public health experts to share their perspectives.

Watch live:

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07/29/2026

Chairman Lisa Murkowski and Vice Chairman Brian Schatz delivered opening statements during a legislative hearing to receive testimony on the following five bills related to Indian water rights settlements:

- S. 3573, a bill to amend the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to modify a provision relating to the extension of certain dates for the completion of the Regional Water System, and for other purposes

- S. 3617, Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2026

- S. 4368, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act

- S. 4417, Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act

- S. 4890, Protecting Indian Water Rights Settlements Act of 2026

The full hearing is archived on the Committee website: www.Indian.Senate.Gov

07/28/2026

07/28/2026

Chairman Lisa Murkowski and Vice Chairman Brian Schatz will hold a legislative hearing on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 2:30 PM ET to receive testimony on the following five bills related to Indian water rights settlements:

- S. 3573, a bill to amend the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to modify a provision relating to the extension of certain dates for the completion of the Regional Water System, and for other purposes

- S. 3617, Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2026

- S. 4368, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act

- S. 4417, Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act

- S. 4890, Protecting Indian Water Rights Settlements Act of 2026

For more information on witnesses participating in the hearing, or to watch the hearing live, visit the website provided below.

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07/27/2026

07/27/2026

Chairman Lisa Murkowski and Vice Chairman Senator Brian Schatz hosted Tribal leaders, Tribal-serving organizations, and congressional staff for a briefing on their recently introduced legislation, the Native Children's Commission Implementation Act.

The legislation would implement the recommendations of the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children. After years of listening to Native youth, families, Tribal leaders, educators, and service providers across Indian Country, the Commission delivered The Way Forward to Congress. The report underscores both the persistent disparities facing Native children and the importance of empowering Tribes to lead solutions that strengthen Native children, families, and communities. This comprehensive bill package translates the Commission's research, consultation, and Tribal engagement into meaningful federal action.

Thank you to SCIA Committee member Senator Tina Smith, National Congress of American Indians, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc., National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA), Cherokee Nation, National Council of Urban Indian Health, Center for Native American Youth, Kenaitze Indian Tribe, and others for their perspectives and powerful feedback on this important legislation.

07/22/2026

The legislative hearing previously scheduled to receive testimony on S. 4276, the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026, has been postponed. A new hearing date will be announced at a later time.

The Committee's business meeting to consider the nomination of Mark Cruz to be Director of the Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will proceed as scheduled on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET, but has been relocated to:

Room S-120 (Hugh Scott Room)
United States Capitol Building
Washington, DC

07/18/2026

Senators Murkowski and Schatz Introduce Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act, Key Inclusions for Urban Indian Organizations Across Health, Research, and Data Initiatives. Learn more: https://buff.ly/ntvVP1g