Dusty Johnson (R-SD)
Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Became Public Law No: 119-61.
Became law
Passed both chambers and was signed by the President, or became law without a signature.
Nothing more in Congress: it is law. When it takes effect depends on the dates written into it — some parts start at once, others a year or more later.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 416–0
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- To President
- Became Law
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
The "Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act" directs the Secretary of the Interior to take steps to ensure certain land is held in restricted fee status by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. This land consists of approximately 40 acres located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The Act requires the Secretary to complete necessary documentation and survey corrections within 365 days of enactment. It also mandates the assignment of applicable private and municipal utility rights or agreements. Under this status, the land is intended to be used for purposes outlined in a specific 2022 Covenant. Finally, the Act prohibits the use of this land for gaming activity.
Yes
- Scored +9
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill significantly enhances tribal sovereignty and land control for the Oglala and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes.
- Scored +7
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The act supports tribal sovereignty and land control for Native American tribes.
- Scored +6
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The act provides specific land management protocols for the sacred site.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The act requires Congressional consent for land transfers, maintaining federal oversight.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 416 yes · 0 no
01/22/2025 · Roll call 22 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Tribal Land Ownership and Control: The land will continue to be owned by the Tribes (Section 2, Definition 1A). This ensures the Oglara Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe maintain ownership of the approximately 40 acres that are a segment of the Wounded Knee Massacre site (Section 2, Definition 3).
-
Protection from Taxation: The land shall not be subject to taxation by a State or local government (Section 2, Definition 1D).
-
Protection Against Unwanted Transfers: The land cannot be transferred without the consent of both Congress and the Tribes (Section 2, Definition 1C).
-
Increased Tribal Autonomy for Land Use: The Tribes can use the land for purposes allowed by the "Covenant Between the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe" without needing prior review or approval from the Secretary of the Interior (Section 2, Definition 1E).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restriction on Land Use: The land cannot be used for gaming activity under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Section 3, Definition 4).
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Existing Legal Obligations: The land remains subject to any private or municipal encumbrances, rights-of-way, restrictions, easements of record, or utility service agreements that were in effect on the date the Act was enacted (Section 3, Definition 3).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill significantly enhances tribal sovereignty and land control for the Oglala and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The act supports tribal sovereignty and land control for Native American tribes.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The act provides specific land management protocols for the sacred site.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The act requires Congressional consent for land transfers, maintaining federal oversight.
- Public Law (12/20/2025)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 12/19/2025
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-61.
- 12/18/2025
- Presented to President.
- 12/15/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 12/11/2025
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8685)
- 10/2/2025
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-72.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 177.
- 3/5/2025
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 1/23/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 1/22/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 - 0 (Roll no. 22). (text: 1/21/2025 CR H246-247)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 - 0 (Roll no. 22). (text: 1/21/2025 CR H246-247)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H285)
- 1/21/2025
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 165.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H246-248)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.