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119th Congress
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HOUSEH.R. 2916· 119th Congress

Settlement of Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim in New York

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.

Sponsor
Elise Stefanik (R-NY)
Introduced
Apr 14, 2025
Last Action
Jun 3, 2026

Recorded legislative actions. Future votes are not implied.

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Passed Committee
Sep 17, 2025
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Passed Committee
Oct 31, 2025
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Passed House
Dec 9, 2025
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Received in Senate
Dec 10, 2025
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In Committee
Jun 3, 2026

AI-assisted analysis based on the official CRS summary. Source version: Dec 9, 2025. Analysis updated: Sep 15, 2026.

01 — The Text

What.

  • The bill authorizes and confirms a settlement agreement involving the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT), the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, New York State, two New York counties, two New York towns, and the New York Power Authority.
  • The settlement agreement restores land rights and provides land access to SRMT, provides tuition assistance for tribal members to certain postsecondary institutions, and requires the New York Power Authority to make annual payments to SRMT.
  • The bill ratifies transfers of land, rights-of-way, or easements that are subjects of specified court cases.
  • The bill recognizes as Indian country any land owned or subsequently acquired by SRMT within designated settlement acquisition areas, which affects criminal jurisdiction.
02 — The Stakes

So what?

  • Land claimed by SRMT receives recognition as Indian country, establishing federal criminal jurisdiction in those areas.
  • SRMT gains specified land access rights and financial support through tuition assistance and New York Power Authority payments, as detailed in the ratified settlement agreement.
  • Pending court cases regarding land transfers are resolved through the settlement agreement's authorization and ratification.
  • The bill's effects depend entirely on the settlement agreement's specific terms; the summary does not detail the geographic scope, payment amounts, or institutional eligibility for tuition assistance.
03 — The Path

Now what?

  • The House passed the bill by voice vote on December 9, 2025, under suspension of the rules.
  • The Senate received the bill and referred it to the Committee on Indian Affairs on December 10, 2025.
  • The Committee on Indian Affairs held hearings on June 3, 2026.
  • No subsequent action is recorded.
Legislative History

Actions.

  • Jun 3, 2026 — Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
  • Dec 10, 2025 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
  • Dec 9, 2025 — Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  • Dec 9, 2025 — On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5085)
  • Dec 9, 2025 — Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5085)
  • Dec 9, 2025 — DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2916.
  • Dec 9, 2025 — Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5085-5086)
  • Dec 9, 2025 — Mr. Crank moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.