Today the House unanimously passed H.R. 2606, the Stigler Act Amendments of 2018.  The legislation would allow land held by the Five Tribes—the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muskogee (Creek), and Seminole Nations—to remain restricted, even if the heir to the land has less than ½ blood quantum. 

“When the Stigler Act of 1947 was passed over 60 years ago, the federal government mandated a ½ blood quantum requirement for restricted land owned by members of the Five Tribes,” said Mullin.  “No other tribes in the United States faces this discriminatory measure.  For Native Americans, our land is an important part of our heritage and updating the Stigler Act will allow the land allotted to our ancestors to keep its restricted status and remain in the bloodline.  I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation to let members of the Five Tribes keep the restricted status of their land within their families for generations to come.”

H.R. 2606 was introduced in May of 2017 by Congressman Cole, Mullin, Lucas, and Russell.  Congressman Mullin is an original cosponsor of H.R. 2606.  The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

As one of two Native Americans currently serving in Congress, Congressman Mullin is a strong advocate for tribes and Native Americans.  Mullin has sponsored a number of bills to advance Native American priorities including improving rural broadband access, allowing tribes access to federal opioid grants, protecting ancestral burial grounds, and reforming the Indian Health Services.  He is a proud member of the Cherokee Nation.  He and his wife are raising their five kids on the same family farm where Mullin’s ancestors ended their walk on the Trail of Tears.