WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs – today led nine of his colleagues in reintroducing the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act to restore the sovereign status of tribal governments. This legislation would clarify the definition of “employers” in the National Labor Relations Act to exclude federally-recognized tribal governmental employers on tribally-owned land alongside other governmental employers. Sen. Moran was joined by Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) in introducing this legislation.

“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,” said Sen. Moran. “This commonsense bill – which is supported by more than 160 Indian tribes and tribal corporations – would provide greater independence for tribes, and I will continue working with my colleagues to get this bill to the President’s desk to rightfully restore the sovereign status of tribal governments.”

“Tribal sovereignty is an important component of the federal government’s relationship with Native American Tribes,” said Sen. Crapo. “This needed fix will give power back to elected tribal leaders to make informed decisions best for their communities.”

“Tribal governments are some of the largest employers on the nine reservations located in South Dakota,” said Sen. Rounds. “Unfortunately, burdensome regulations under the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 have prevented tribes from enacting ‘right to work’ laws. The Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act would amend the NLRA to provide an exemption for tribal governments, just as local, state and federal governments are exempted. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this legislation, as well as working with tribal leaders to continue identifying ways to restore and strengthen tribal sovereignty.”

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

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