[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6097 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6097
To facilitate contacts and cooperation, including commercial
relationships, between Native American Tribes and Indigenous peoples in
the Western Hemisphere, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 30, 2021
Mrs. Torres of California (for herself and Mr. Himes) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To facilitate contacts and cooperation, including commercial
relationships, between Native American Tribes and Indigenous peoples in
the Western Hemisphere, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Indigenous Peoples Exchange and
Economic Cooperation Act''.
SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States to facilitate contacts and
cooperation, including commercial relationships, between Native
American Tribes and Indigenous peoples in the Western Hemisphere, in
accordance with regional trade agreements and the Presidential
memorandum titled ``Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening
Nation-to-Nation Relationships'', dated January 26, 2021, which directs
executive branches to engage in ``regular, meaningful, and robust
consultation with Tribal officials''.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Native american tribes.--The term ``Native American
Tribe'' means any federally recognized Tribe.
(2) Indigenous peoples.--The term ``Indigenous peoples''
means peoples residing in foreign countries and territories in
the Western Hemisphere who have historical ties to a particular
territory and are culturally or historically distinct from the
politically dominant population.
SEC. 4. STRATEGY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with
the Secretary of Interior, shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a strategy, in consultation with the
individuals listed in subsection (b), to promote and facilitate--
(1) cross-investments and export opportunities between
Native American Tribes and Indigenous peoples in Tribal
businesses and commercial enterprises that involve Indigenous
peoples, such as sustainable natural resource management,
agricultural development, timber, fish and other seafood,
energy, handicraft and art production, or entrepreneurship for
economic growth and diversification; and
(2) the development of supply chains for United States
entities that include certified products produced by Native
American Tribes and Indigenous peoples.
(b) Consultation Required.--The individuals referred to in
subsection (a) are the following:
(1) The President of the Inter-American Foundation.
(2) The Secretary of State.
(3) The United States Trade Representative.
(4) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(5) The Secretary of Energy.
(6) The Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
(7) The Administrator and the Advisor for Indigenous
Peoples Issues of the United States Agency for International
Development.
(8) The Chief Executive Officer of the United States
International Development Finance Corporation.
(9) The Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge
Corporation.
(10) Representatives of Native American Tribes.
(11) Representatives of civil society organizations
advocating for the rights or interests of Indigenous peoples.
(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees.--In this section, the
term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Natural Resources of the
House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on
Foreign Relations, the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources, and the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate.
SEC. 5. UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.
In order to improve the capacity of Indigenous peoples to engage in
and benefit from increased trade and investment relationships, the
Inter-American Foundation, Secretary of State, United States Agency for
International Development, and Millennium Challenge Corporation shall--
(1) consult with representatives of civil society
organizations, especially organizations comprised of or
representing the interests of Indigenous peoples; and
(2) provide assistance to countries in the Western
Hemisphere in a manner that promotes and facilitates
entrepreneurship among Indigenous peoples--
(A) by strengthening the capacity of civil society
organizations and local governments; and
(B) by supporting community-led and community-based
projects including sustainable natural resource
management, agricultural development, and handicraft
production.
SEC. 6. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT ACTIVITIES.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce
$3,000,000 to carry out this Act.
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