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H.R. 165Became law

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

Introduced: Jan 3, 2025

Latest action date: Dec 19, 2025

Latest development

Became Public Law No: 119-61.

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Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
Jan 3, 2025
Recorded roll calls
1

Status detail: Congress.gov records that the measure became law.

Plain-language overview

What this bill does

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.

Official summary from Congress.gov.

Civixly topics

What this legislation is about

Civixly topics make federal and state legislation comparable. They are derived from the official CRS policy area and legislative subjects.

Official CRS policy area

Native Americans

View 5 official legislative subjects
Federal-Indian relationsIndian lands and resources rightsLand transfersSouth DakotaState and local taxation

Committee activity

Committees and subcommittees that received, reviewed, marked up, or reported this legislation.

Amendments

Proposed changes to this measure, with their latest official outcome or action from Congress.gov.

No amendments are listed for this measure.

Checked against Congress.gov Oct 11, 2026.

Action timeline

Newest action first. Action language comes from the official Congress.gov record.

View full action timeline25 actions
  1. Became Public Law No: 119-61.

    PresidentLibrary of Congress
  2. Became Public Law No: 119-61.

    BecameLawLibrary of Congress
  3. Signed by President.

    PresidentLibrary of Congress
  4. Signed by President.

    BecameLawLibrary of Congress
  5. Presented to President.

    PresidentLibrary of Congress
  6. Presented to President.

    FloorHouse floor actions
  7. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    FloorSenate
  8. Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8685)

    FloorSenate
  9. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

    FloorLibrary of Congress
  10. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 177.

    CalendarsSenate
  11. Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-72.

    CommitteeLibrary of Congress
  12. Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-72.

    CommitteeSenate
  13. Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

    CommitteeSenate
  14. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

    IntroReferralSenate
  15. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    FloorHouse floor actions
  16. Passed/agreed to in House: 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)

    FloorLibrary of Congress
  17. 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)

    FloorHouse floor actions
  18. Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H285)

    FloorHouse floor actions
  19. 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.

    FloorHouse floor actions
  20. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 165.

    FloorHouse floor actions
  21. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H246-248)

    FloorHouse floor actions
  22. Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

    FloorHouse floor actions
  23. Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

    IntroReferralHouse floor actions
  24. Introduced in House

    IntroReferralLibrary of Congress
  25. Introduced in House

    IntroReferralLibrary of Congress

Roll-call votes

Recorded House and Senate votes connected to this bill. Your representatives appear first when available.

PassedJan 22, 2025House · Roll call 22

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

416 Yea17 Not Voting
View 433 recorded positions
André CarsonNot Voting
David ScottYea
Debbie DingellNot Voting
Doug LaMalfaYea
Eric SwalwellYea
Frank J. MrvanNot Voting
Gerald E. ConnollyYea
J. Luis CorreaNot Voting
John GaramendiNot Voting
Josh RileyNot Voting
Lauren BoebertNot Voting
Marjorie Taylor GreeneYea
Mark E. GreenYea
Maxine WatersNot Voting
Mikie SherrillYea
Nancy PelosiNot Voting
Pramila JayapalNot Voting
Raúl M. GrijalvaNot Voting
Roger WilliamsNot Voting
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormickYea
Sylvester TurnerYea
Tony GonzalesYea

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Sources: Congress.gov and official House and Senate vote records.

View data freshness details

Base metadata check pending · Civixly summary check pending · Action timeline checked Oct 11, 2026 · Complete sponsorship check pending · Topics checked Oct 11, 2026 · Committees checked Oct 11, 2026 · Status checked Oct 11, 2026 · Related bills checked Oct 11, 2026.