Senate bill would free Catawba Indian Nation to set its own membership rules
In committeeS. 3859Latest action
Sponsor: Lindsey Graham · Senator · SC
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: A bill to amend the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993 with respect to future membership in the Catawba Indian Nation.
119th Congress
Topics: Family & community
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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S 3859 removes two federal membership restrictions on the Catawba Indian Nation imposed by a 1993 land-dispute settlement law.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
S 3859 amends a 1993 federal law that resolved land disputes involving the Catawba Indian Nation of South Carolina. That law required tribal membership applicants to be direct descendants of someone on an original membership list and to have maintained ongoing political ties to the tribe. This bill removes both of those conditions from federal law.
Who does it affect?
The Catawba Indian Nation, a federally recognized tribe based in South Carolina, would gain authority to set its own membership criteria. Individuals who have been blocked from enrolling under the current requirements are also directly affected.
Why does it matter?
Removing the restrictions would bring the 1993 law closer to the general principle that tribes have the right to determine their own membership. The tribe would have more control over enrollment decisions going forward, without those two conditions being fixed in federal statute.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedFeb 12, 2026
- Senate committeeYou are here · Sep 23, 2026
- Senate vote
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.