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The House of Representatives voted 416-0 to pass a bill that transfers control of the Wounded Knee Massacre site in South Dakota to the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes.
H.R. 165, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act, directs the federal government to transfer approximately 40 acres of land at the site of the 1890 massacre to the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes. The land will be held in a special "restricted fee status," allowing the tribes to own and manage the site as a sacred memorial. This status ensures the land is part of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and protected from state taxes and private sale, while explicitly prohibiting any casino gambling on the grounds. This vote was conducted under a procedure called "suspension of the rules." This is a fast-track method the House uses for bills that have broad, non-controversial support. Because this process skips several steps of standard debate, it requires a higher bar to pass: at least two-thirds of the members present must vote in favor, rather than a simple majority. With a final count of 416 to 0, the bill passed unanimously among those present, easily clearing the two-thirds threshold. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration. If it passes there and is signed by the President, it will fulfill a long-standing tribal request to reclaim and preserve this historic and cultural site under tribal law and authority.
The bill moves to the Senate. If the Senate passes the bill without changes, it will be sent to the President to be signed into law.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This bill addresses a long-standing effort by Native American tribes to reclaim and protect the site of a major historical tragedy, moving it from private hands to tribal control for preservation.
Who’s affected. Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes: Gain direct ownership and jurisdiction over 40 acres of sacred land. · Descendants of Massacre Victims: Benefit from the permanent protection and tribal management of the memorial site.
Democrats. All 205 voting Democrats supported the bill.
Republicans. All voting Republicans supported the bill, contributing to the unanimous result.
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Jan 22, 2025
The House of Representatives voted 416-0 to pass a bill that transfers control of the Wounded Knee Massacre site in South Dakota to the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes.
This vote was a 'motion to suspend the rules,' a common House shortcut for passing bills that have strong bipartisan support. This procedure skips typical committee hurdles but requires a two-thirds supermajority to succeed.
The bill moves to the Senate. If the Senate passes the bill without changes, it will be sent to the President to be signed into law.
This bill addresses a long-standing effort by Native American tribes to reclaim and protect the site of a major historical tragedy, moving it from private hands to tribal control for preservation.
The vote was entirely unanimous among all participating members, demonstrating total bipartisan agreement on the measure.
All 205 voting Democrats supported the bill.
All voting Republicans supported the bill, contributing to the unanimous result.
The lone independent member voted in favor of the bill.