A Democratic bill with 11 Republican cosponsors · See all 19 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The PROTECT Act of 2025 aims to expand the authority of Tribal courts and legal systems. It amends the Stored Communications Act to include Tribal courts as courts of competent jurisdiction for requiring the disclosure of electronic communications or records. The bill also updates the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 to grant Tribal jurisdiction over controlled substance-related offenses and firearms offenses. Additionally, it amends the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 regarding the Bureau of Prisons Tribal Prisoner Program. These changes work to integrate Tribal legal processes more closely with existing federal and state frameworks.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill directly expands the legal and jurisdictional authority of Indian Tribes and their courts.
- Scored +7
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill increases the authority and jurisdictional power of Tribal governments.
- Scored +6
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill empowers Tribal sovereignty and legal authority, which supports the self-governance of Indigenous peoples.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Tribal Jurisdiction over Communications: Tribal courts would be recognized as courts of competent jurisdiction, allowing them to require the disclosure of electronic communications or records via a warrant (Section 2, Section 2 of the bill).
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Enhanced Authority over Drug-Related Crimes: The bill confers Tribal jurisdiction over controlled substance-related offenses, which includes drug trafficking, unlawful drug possession, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia (Section 3, Section 3 of the bill).
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Increased Authority over Firearms Crimes: Tribal jurisdiction is extended to include firearms offenses, specifically those involving the use or possession of a firearm in furtherance of a covered crime or by someone convicted of domestic violence (Section 3, Section 3 of the bill).
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Expanded Prisoner Programs: The Bureau of Prisons Tribal Prisoner Program would include offenders convicted pursuant to the exercise of special Tribal criminal jurisdiction (Section 4, Section 4 of the bill).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly detailed within the provided text.
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 directly expands the legal and jurisdictional authority of Indian Tribes and their courts.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill increases the authority and jurisdictional power of Tribal governments.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill empowers Tribal sovereignty and legal authority, which supports the self-governance of Indigenous peoples.
- Healthcare
- Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — The bill enhances tribal jurisdiction over controlled substance-related offenses which can assist in drug enforcement and response.
- 8/31/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/11/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/5/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/2/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/5/2025
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
2 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.
Michael BaumgartnerRepublican · Washington
Ken CalvertRepublican · California
Tom ColeRepublican · Oklahoma
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington
Sharice DavidsDemocrat · Kansas
Jake EllzeyRepublican · Texas
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Marie PerezDemocrat · Washington
Jeff HurdRepublican · Colorado
Darrell IssaRepublican · California
Kevin KileyIndependent · California
Doug LaMalfaRepublican · California
Dan NewhouseRepublican · Washington
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado
Emily RandallDemocrat · Washington
Adam SmithDemocrat · Washington
Michael SimpsonRepublican · Idaho
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Ryan ZinkeRepublican · Montana