H.R. 165 Became law · Public Law 119-61 Native Americans

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to complete all actions necessary for certain land to be held in restricted fee status by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and for other purposes.

Introduced
Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law

Sponsor Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large] Introduced January 3, 2025 Cosponsors 0 Latest action December 19, 2025

Summary

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
This act directs the Department of the Interior to complete all actions necessary to place approximately 40 acres of land in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota, into restricted fee status for the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Restricted fee status refers to land that is owned by a tribe or tribal member but is subject to restrictions by the United States against alienation (i.e., sale or transfer) or encumbrance (e.g., liens, leases, or rights-of-way) by operation of law.
The act requires the land to be held and maintained as a memorial and sacred site, as outlined by the document titled Covenant Between the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and dated October 21, 2022. Further, it prohibits commercial development and gaming activity on the land.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Roll-call votes

HouseJan 22, 2025·Roll 22·H.R. 165
Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

Passed416–0
R 216–0 D 200–0

Actions

Dec 19, 2025 Became Public Law No: 119-61.
Dec 19, 2025 Signed by President.
Dec 18, 2025 Presented to President.
Dec 15, 2025 Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 11, 2025 Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8685)
Dec 11, 2025 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Oct 2, 2025 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 177.
Oct 2, 2025 Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-72.
Mar 5, 2025 Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Jan 23, 2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Jan 22, 2025 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 22, 2025 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 - 0 (Roll no. 22). (text: 1/21/2025 CR H246-247)
Jan 22, 2025 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H285)
Jan 21, 2025 At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Jan 21, 2025 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 165.
Jan 21, 2025 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H246-248)
Jan 21, 2025 Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Jan 3, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jan 3, 2025 Introduced in House

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