Floor Speech2026-03-03

MASHPEE WAMPANOAG TRIBE AND WAMPANOAG TRIBE OF GAY HEAD (AQUINNAH) LEASING AUTHORITY

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Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)] [House] [Pages H2357-H2358] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] MASHPEE WAMPANOAG TRIBE AND WAMPANOAG TRIBE OF GAY HEAD (AQUINNAH) LEASING AUTHORITY Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 681) to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the ``Long-Term Leasing Act''), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held [[Page H2358]] in trust for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 681 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. MASHPEE WAMPANOAG TRIBE AND WAMPANOAG TRIBE OF GAY HEAD (AQUINNAH) LEASING AUTHORITY. Subsection (a) of the first section of the Act of August 9, 1955 (69 Stat. 539, chapter 615; 25 U.S.C. 415(a)) (commonly known as the ``Long-Term Leasing Act''), is amended, in the second sentence, by inserting ``, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation, land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)'' after ``Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hoyle) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas. General Leave Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material to H.R. 681, the bill now under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas? There was no objection. Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 681, introduced by Representative Keating, would authorize the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, both of Massachusetts, to lease lands held in trust for up to 99 years, subject to approval by the Secretary of the Interior. Congress has long recognized that Tribes need the ability to lease their lands to support housing, commercial activity, and community development. While the Indian Long-Term Leasing Act allows leasing of trust lands, longer lease terms have often required Tribe-specific legislation. Over time, Congress has granted 99-year leasing authority to a number of Tribes to accommodate long-term planning and investment. H.R. 681 simply extends that same authority to these two Tribes in Massachusetts. The bill ensures these Tribes are treated consistently with others that have already received 99-year leasing authority. By providing parity and leasing authority, H.R. 681 supports local economic planning and development and promotes fairness and opportunity for these Tribal communities while maintaining Federal oversight through secretarial approval. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of Mr. Keating's bill to amend the Long-Term Leasing Act for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). Under the Long-Term Leasing Act, Tribes are generally limited to lease terms of 25 years with an option to renew for an additional 25 years. This restriction, as we mentioned earlier, often has hindered economic development in Indian Country where growth is essential to providing services and opportunities for Tribal citizens. To address this barrier, Congress has repeatedly passed bipartisan, noncontroversial bills allowing individual Tribes to secure long-term leases, just as H.R. 681 seeks to do. Representative Keating's bill would authorize the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) to enter into lease agreements for up to 99 years, providing parity with other Tribes that already have that authority. Extending lease terms from 25 to 99 years will provide certainty that lenders, investors, and development partners need to make meaningful, long-term investments with the Tribes, helping promote economic stability and address the Tribes' ongoing housing challenges. This bill respects Tribal sovereignty and advances self- determination. It removes barriers to the Tribes' housing and economic development efforts. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 681, again, provides equal leasing authority to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, aligning them with the other Tribes that have already received 99-year leasing authority from Congress. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 681, and I yield back the balance of my time. {time} 1620 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 681, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed. The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the ``Long-Term Leasing Act''), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes.''. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR681, HR681

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