Sen. Jerry Moran
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) recently led a group of fellow Republicans in proposing legislation that would clarify the rights of American Indians and Indian tribes on native lands under the National Labor Relations Act, helping to restore the sovereign status of their tribal governments.
“It is time to correct a decade-old error made by the National Labor Relations Board and once again allow tribal governments, elected by their members, to have the authority to make informed decisions on behalf of those they represent,” Sen. Moran said on May 1.
Specifically, the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2023, S. 1328, would provide a technical amendment clarifying that the definition of “employers” in the National Labor Relations Act excludes federally recognized tribal governmental employers on tribally owned land alongside other governmental employers, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Moran’s office.
Among the nine lawmakers who joined Sen. Moran in introducing the bill were original cosponsors U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and John Thune (R-SD).
Calling S. 1328 a “sensible and narrow bill,” Sen. Moran added that the measure is supported by more than 160 Indian tribes and tribal corporations.
“The Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act would rightfully restore the sovereign status of tribal governments,” said Sen. Moran, “and I will continue working with my colleagues to get this bill to the president’s desk.”
The bill has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.