Committees / Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

Standing committee · Senate · 119th Congress

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has jurisdiction to study the unique problems of American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native peoples and to propose legislation to alleviate these difficulties. These issues include, but are not limited to, Indian education, economic development, land management, trust responsibilities, health care, and claims against the United States. Additionally, all legislation proposed by Members of the Senate that specifically pertains to American Indians, Native Hawaiians, or Alaska Natives is under the jurisdiction of the Committee.

Jurisdiction source: www.indian.senate.gov/about/history

Contact

Members

11

Chaired by Lisa A. Murkowski

Current staff

19

212 alumni tracked

Bills referred

81

119th Congress

Subcommittees

Chapter I

Members

11 on the committee · sorted by leadership, then party seniority

NameRolePartyStateRank
RLisa A. MurkowskiChairmajorityRepublicanAK1
DBrian E. SchatzVice chairminorityDemocratHI1
RJohn HoevenMembermajorityRepublicanND2
RSteve DainesMembermajorityRepublicanMT3
RMike RoundsMembermajorityRepublicanSD4
RJerry MoranMembermajorityRepublicanKS5
RAlan ArmstrongMembermajorityRepublicanOK6
DMaria CantwellMemberminorityDemocratWA2
DCatherine Cortez MastoMemberminorityDemocratNV3
DTina SmithMemberminorityDemocratMN4
DBen Ray LujanMemberminorityDemocratNM5

Chapter II

Staff

19 current · 212 alumni on record

NameRoleTenure
Caroline N. AckermanDEMOCRATIC POLICY ADVISOROct 1, 2025 to Present
Haley M. AdkinsHEARING CLERK/STAFF ASSISTANTApr 1, 2025 to Present
Lenna M. AokiGENERAL COUNSELApr 1, 2011 to Present
Jocelyn Joy BromanCOUNSELMar 14, 2025 to Present
Amber EbarbREPUBLICAN STAFF DIRECTOROct 1, 2022 to Present
James L. EismeierADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTORApr 1, 2011 to Present
Dasan J. FishSYSTEMS ADMINISTRATORSep 25, 2017 to Present
Samuel D. HiratsukaPROFESSIONAL STAFFJan 13, 2025 to Present
Christie M. KimuraLEGISLATIVE AIDEJan 16, 2024 to Present
Sarah Elizabeth McKinnisPROFESSIONAL STAFFOct 1, 2025 to Present
Darren ModzelewskiCOUNSELOct 1, 2023 to Present
Jennifer Romero MonacoSTAFF DIRECTOR AND CHIEF COUNSELJan 24, 2017 to Present
Lucy C. MurfittREPUBLICAN CHIEF COUNSELOct 1, 2022 to Present
Emma C. NeslundSCHEDULER/RESEARCH ASSISTANTMar 2, 2026 to Present
Bridget Anne ParkerDEMOCRATIC RESEARCH ASSISTANT/SCHEDULEROct 1, 2025 to Present
Anna D. PowersSENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBERApr 1, 2025 to Present
Alanna Hansen PurdyDEMOCRATIC SENIOR POLICY ADVISOROct 1, 2025 to Present
Hannah E. RayMINORITY COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORMay 6, 2024 to Present

Interns

NameRoleTenure
Sebastian RobbinsINTERNMar 16, 2026 to Present

Alumni

Showing 50 of 151

NameRoleTenure
Caroline N. AckermanLEGISLATIVE ASSISTANTFeb 12, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025
Haley M. AdkinsSTAFF ASSISTANTDec 2, 2024 to Mar 31, 2025
Catelin K. AiwohiDEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANTApr 9, 2017 to Apr 23, 2018
Terrence M. AndrewsREPRESENTATIVE STAFF DIRECTOR AND CHIEF COUNSELOct 1, 2020 to Sep 30, 2021
Terrence M. AndrewsSTAFF DIRECTOR AND CHIEF COUNSELJan 8, 2015 to Sep 30, 2020
Lenna M. AokiSENIOR LEGISLATIVE COUNSELMar 8, 2021 to Sep 30, 2022
Brandon I. AshleyDEPUTY STAFF DIRECTORApr 1, 2019 to Mar 5, 2021
Brandon I. AshleySENIOR POLICY ADVISOROct 1, 2014 to Mar 31, 2019
Brandon I. AshleyREPUBLICAN SENIOR POLICY ADVISORMay 1, 2014 to Sep 30, 2014
Eli B. BaileyREPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANTOct 5, 2011 to Nov 2, 2012
Xavier A. BarrazaSTAFF ASSISTANTApr 1, 2011 to Apr 3, 2011
Denae A. BensonSTAFF ASSISTANTMay 12, 2021 to Mar 3, 2023
Joshua R. BertalottoDEMOCRATIC STAFF ASSISTANTMay 7, 2018 to Dec 22, 2018
Hanna C. BeyerPRESS SECRETARYOct 1, 2016 to Jul 22, 2018
Hanna C. BeyerSTAFF ASSISTANTJul 18, 2016 to Sep 30, 2016
Jacqueline A. BisilleREPUBLICAN POLICY ADVISOROct 1, 2020 to Sep 7, 2025
Jacqueline A. BisillePOLICY ADVISOROct 1, 2015 to Sep 30, 2020
Jacqueline A. BisilleLEGISLATIVE ASSISTANTOct 6, 2014 to Sep 30, 2015
Marilyn K. BruceCHIEF CLERKApr 1, 2011 to Mar 22, 2013
James H. BurtonSTAFF ASSISTANTNov 25, 2019 to Mar 5, 2021
Christiane S. CardozaLEGISLATIVE ASSISTANTApr 1, 2011 to Feb 24, 2013
Caleb CarrollSTAFF ASSISTANTOct 13, 2015 to Jul 6, 2016
Robert D. CarterREPUBLICAN COUNSELOct 1, 2011 to Aug 8, 2014
Robert D. CarterREPUBLICAN PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBERAug 11, 2011 to Sep 30, 2011
Bryce T. CluffSTAFF ASSISTANTJan 13, 2025 to Jan 30, 2026
Claire E. CooperSTAFF ASSISTANTDec 5, 2022 to Jul 14, 2023
Aleigha Old CrowSTAFF ASSISTANTMay 21, 2012 to Jan 11, 2013
Alexa Old CrowLEGISLATIVE AIDEApr 1, 2012 to Feb 4, 2013
Alexa Old CrowSTAFF ASSISTANTJun 1, 2011 to Mar 31, 2012
Reid E. DagulSTAFF ASSISTANTMar 20, 2017 to Feb 6, 2019
Jade L. DannerPOLICY DIRECTORApr 1, 2011 to Jan 31, 2013
Michael D. DanylakPRESS SECRETARYMar 2, 2015 to Dec 31, 2016
Kenneth L. DegenfelderREPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANTOct 1, 2013 to Aug 30, 2014
Kenneth L. DegenfelderREPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE AIDEOct 1, 2011 to Sep 30, 2013
Kenneth L. DegenfelderLEGISLATIVE AIDEApr 1, 2011 to Sep 30, 2011
Emily B. DeimelCOMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOROct 11, 2011 to Mar 1, 2013
Denise A. DesiderioDEPUTY STAFF DIRECTOROct 1, 2012 to Jan 16, 2014
Denise A. DesiderioSENIOR COUNSELApr 1, 2011 to Sep 30, 2012
Avis DuboseHEARING CLERKOct 1, 2017 to Mar 5, 2021
Amber EbarbREPUBLICAN DEPUTY STAFF DIRECTORFeb 16, 2021 to Sep 30, 2022
Elizabeth A. GonzalezCOMMITTEE CLERKFeb 20, 2024 to Jun 29, 2024
Chase GoodnightCOUNSELApr 1, 2018 to Mar 5, 2021
Chase GoodnightLEGAL FELLOWSep 11, 2017 to Mar 31, 2018
Rhonda D. HarjoDEPUTY CHIEF COUNSELOct 1, 2014 to May 24, 2019
Rhonda D. HarjoREPUBLICAN DEPUTY CHIEF COUNSELApr 1, 2011 to Sep 30, 2014
Concetta R. Tsosie De HaroCOUNSELOct 1, 2020 to Jun 19, 2023
Concetta R. Tsosie De HaroDEMOCRATIC COUNSELOct 1, 2018 to Sep 30, 2020
Concetta R. Tsosie De HaroLEGAL FELLOWJan 19, 2018 to Sep 30, 2018
Wendy L. HelgemoDEMOCRATIC COUNSELOct 1, 2014 to Jan 6, 2017
Wendy L. HelgemoCOUNSELApr 1, 2011 to Sep 30, 2014

Alumni interns

NameRoleTenure
Savannah J. BaberINTERNSep 6, 2017 to Dec 9, 2017
K. Kauanoe BatanganINTERNJun 25, 2012 to Jul 31, 2012
Jacob T. BrittinghamINTERNJan 24, 2025 to May 31, 2025
Roger J. BrownINTERNMay 23, 2011 to Aug 9, 2011
Loni N. BryanttINTERNMay 14, 2018 to Aug 14, 2018
Grace J. CarterINTERNJun 21, 2022 to Aug 19, 2022
Jared J. CichokeINTERNJan 8, 2018 to May 18, 2018
Liliana K. CirauloINTERNJun 16, 2025 to Aug 8, 2025
Claudio K.w. CliniINTERNJan 10, 2024 to May 30, 2024
Shane ColegroveINTERNMay 28, 2013 to Aug 23, 2013
Stephen ComptonINTERNJan 4, 2016 to May 20, 2016
Forrest M. CoxINTERNSep 16, 2013 to Dec 20, 2013
Gina M. D'AndreaINTERNMay 22, 2017 to Aug 11, 2017
Joshua DillingerINTERNMay 23, 2016 to Jul 29, 2016
Alex-Jon EarlINTERNSep 3, 2013 to Dec 13, 2013
Chelsea Katherine EllwoodLEGAL INTERNSep 3, 2024 to Dec 4, 2024
Elizabeth P. EricksonINTERNSep 8, 2020 to Mar 26, 2021
Kevin D. FettelINTERNJan 3, 2012 to Apr 24, 2012
Kristy L. GarciaINTERNFeb 10, 2020 to Mar 5, 2021
Chase GoodnightINTERNMay 23, 2016 to Aug 19, 2016
Morgan Taylor GrayLEGAL INTERNJan 8, 2024 to Apr 11, 2024
Tanner C. HansonINTERNAug 1, 2016 to Sep 28, 2016
Chandler R. HarrisINTERNMay 28, 2014 to Aug 22, 2014
Julia HaskinsINTERNJun 20, 2011 to Aug 6, 2011
Eduardo Manuel Gomez HortaINTERNSep 22, 2025 to Dec 5, 2025
Natasha R. JohnINTERNAug 26, 2013 to Sep 30, 2013
Ahnili Sienna Johnson-JenningsINTERNJun 11, 2024 to Aug 2, 2024
Vibha J. JonesINTERNSep 9, 2024 to Dec 13, 2024
Krystal C. Ka'AiINTERNJun 6, 2011 to Jul 30, 2011
Kathryn KempemaINTERNMay 28, 2014 to Aug 22, 2014
Emma C. KincadeINTERNJun 12, 2017 to Aug 4, 2017
Julia M. KingLEGAL INTERNJun 2, 2025 to Aug 1, 2025
Brandi K. LocoeINTERNMay 23, 2011 to Jul 15, 2011
Sadie J. MayINTERNSep 4, 2018 to Feb 11, 2019
Tad T. MayINTERNSep 3, 2019 to Dec 15, 2019
Catherine MercerINTERNJan 8, 2015 to Mar 15, 2015
Joshua J. MesserINTERNMay 15, 2013 to Aug 16, 2013
Mercedes L. MorinINTERNSep 8, 2025 to Dec 19, 2025
Andrew G. NickellINTERNJan 30, 2017 to May 5, 2017
Kelly A. QuinnINTERNMar 25, 2019 to Sep 27, 2019
Nolan RapINTERNJan 4, 2016 to Apr 6, 2016
Maxwell Benjamin RemyINTERNJun 10, 2024 to Aug 9, 2024
Tenley S. RobersonINTERNJun 1, 2023 to Aug 4, 2023
Kawaiuluhonua O. ScanlanLEGAL INTERNJun 7, 2022 to Aug 5, 2022
Brooke L. SchmoyerINTERNMar 29, 2022 to Jun 10, 2022
Rio SmithINTERNAug 29, 2011 to Dec 13, 2011
Emily SmithsonINTERNJan 6, 2014 to Mar 31, 2014
Michael A. StoppINTERNMay 22, 2013 to Jul 30, 2013
Ethan A. White TempleINTERNJul 9, 2012 to Aug 3, 2012
Madison N. TorrezINTERNJan 12, 2024 to May 10, 2024
Kristen TrohkimoinenINTERNJan 8, 2015 to May 15, 2015
Peter A. VicenziINTERNMay 26, 2015 to Aug 28, 2015
Sydney J. WalkerINTERNJun 7, 2022 to Aug 5, 2022
Katherine E. WarrenINTERNJun 3, 2013 to Aug 3, 2013
Brandon S. WedlINTERNMay 26, 2015 to Aug 28, 2015
Max A. WeissINTERNApr 1, 2011 to May 20, 2011
Cyrus M. WesternINTERNSep 7, 2012 to Dec 21, 2012
Micah Tewa WimmerREPUBLICAN INTERNJun 20, 2023 to Jul 28, 2023
David N. WiseINTERNMay 14, 2012 to Aug 10, 2012
Natalya WolfleyINTERNMay 14, 2012 to Jul 28, 2012
Alessandra A. YoungINTERNJan 9, 2023 to Feb 24, 2023

Chapter III

Bills referred

Showing 25 of 81 most-recent bills referred to this committee

BillTitleSponsorActivityLatest action
S 3475A bill to authorize, ratify, and confirm the Agreement of Settlement and Compromise to Resolve the Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim in the State of New York, and for other purposes.DSen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]Hearings By (full committee)Jun 3, 2026
S 3219Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025DSen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]Hearings By (full committee)Jun 3, 2026
HR 5682To take certain land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Pechanga Band of Indians, and for other purposes.RRep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]Referred ToJun 3, 2026
S 2871Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2025DSen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]Hearings By (full committee)Jun 3, 2026
S 2796Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Land Exchange ActDSen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]Hearings By (full committee)Jun 3, 2026
HR 4463To amend the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993.RRep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5]Referred ToJun 3, 2026
S 1514Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer ActDSen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]Hearings By (full committee)Jun 3, 2026
HR 2916To authorize, ratify, and confirm the Agreement of Settlement and Compromise to Resolve the Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim in the State of New York, and for other purposes.RRep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]Hearings By (full committee)Jun 3, 2026
HR 2400Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2025RRep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1]Hearings By (full committee)Jun 3, 2026
HR 2389Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer ActDRep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6]Hearings By (full committee)Jun 3, 2026
S 630Quapaw Tribal Settlement Act of 2025RSen. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK]Hearings By (full committee)Jun 3, 2026
S 2735Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025DSen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]Markup ByMay 20, 2026
S 2098Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025RSen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]Markup ByMay 20, 2026
HR 3620Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025RRep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]Markup ByMay 20, 2026
S 1513Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration ActDSen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]Markup ByMay 20, 2026
HR 2388Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration ActDRep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6]Markup ByMay 20, 2026
HR 2302Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025RRep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-5]Markup ByMay 20, 2026
S 236A bill to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the "Long-Term Leasing Act"), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes.DSen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]Markup ByMay 20, 2026
HR 681To amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the “Long-Term Leasing Act”), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposesDRep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]Markup ByMay 20, 2026
S 723Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025RSen. Thune, John [R-SD]Reported ByMay 4, 2026
S 4417Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments ActDSen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]Referred ToApr 28, 2026
S 4381Western Tribal Water Act of 2026DSen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]Referred ToApr 23, 2026
S 4368Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement ActDSen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]Referred ToApr 22, 2026
S 4276Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026RSen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]Referred ToMar 26, 2026
HR 3073Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity ActRRep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2]Referred ToMar 17, 2026