McCollum Statement on HR 511 - The Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 511, The Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-MN) voted in support of the bill and released the following statement:

“In 1935, the National Labor Relations Act was passed to protect workers from harm and exploitation. This legislation allowed state and local units of government to develop their own separate labor standards. Tribal governments were not included in this bill because in 1935, tribal governments and their people were not included in much in the United States of America.

In 1935, our nation was still too prejudicial towards Native Americans to ever include tribal governments in the National Labor Relations Act. Since then, we have grown as a nation and continue to make efforts to correct past inequities and injustices that Native Americans have suffered within our country. Today’s vote on HR 511, the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act, merely corrects the inequality that existed in the National Labor Relations Act and ensures the same due respect for tribal governments that we grant to all other units of government.

I have a long family and personal history of both union membership and union support. I will continue to be a strong advocate for the working families of Minnesota and this nation. My vote today simply affords tribal governments the equality and respect we give to all other units of government – something our nation failed to do in 1935.”

Congresswoman McCollum is the ranking Democratic member on the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee and the Democratic co-chair of the Native American Caucus.