William Keating (D-MA)
To amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the “Long-Term Leasing Act”), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 555.
Waiting for a floor vote in the other chamber
Passed one chamber and is on the other chamber's calendar.
The calendar is a queue, not a date. The majority leadership decides what comes to the floor and when; much of what is placed on it is never called, and a bill that is never called simply expires with the Congress.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- Awaiting Senate
- On Senate calendar
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill amends the Long-Term Leasing Act to change the leasing rules for specific tribal lands. It specifically authorizes leases of up to 99 years for land located within the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation. It also authorizes leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +9
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
Directly benefits the Mashpee Wampanoag and Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head by expanding their land leasing authority.
- Scored +6
Does this invest in rural communities?
Provides significant tools for economic and infrastructure development in rural tribal reservations.
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
Provides long-term lease security which is highly beneficial for business operations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Longer lease authority: Section 1 authorizes leases of up to 99 years for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). This is positive because it allows these tribes to enter into much longer agreements for their land than what was previously permitted under the second sentence of subsection (a) of the first section of the Act of August 9, 1955.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts identified: Based on the text provided in the bill, there are no specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people.
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? — Directly benefits the Mashpee Wampanoag and Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head by expanding their land leasing authority. Would business owners be better off under this? — Provides long-term lease security which is highly beneficial for business operations. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Supports economic development in rural tribal areas. Would farmers be better off under this? — Potential for long-term agricultural leases on tribal lands. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Potential for increased local economic opportunity can benefit low-income tribal members.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Empowers Native American tribes with greater control and economic opportunity over their lands. Does this make housing cost less? — Extended lease terms can facilitate the development of long-term affordable housing projects on tribal lands. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Economic development enabled by long-term leasing can help reduce poverty within the affected tribes. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Potential for increased housing development may contribute to reducing homelessness.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Provides significant tools for economic and infrastructure development in rural tribal reservations. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Increases the efficiency and flexibility of land use management for the specified tribes.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Long-term lease stability makes it easier for small businesses to secure financing and invest in tribal lands. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Increased leasing flexibility for tribal lands can stimulate local economic development. Is this likely to create jobs? — Longer lease terms can encourage commercial development and investment, potentially creating jobs.
- 9/14/2026
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Armstrong for Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-136.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 555.
- 5/20/2026
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 3/4/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 3/3/2026
- The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- 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, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2358)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2358)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 681.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2357-2358)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 1/14/2026
- Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-449.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 384.
- 11/20/2025
- Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
- 9/9/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 9/4/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
- 1/23/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 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.
- 119-S-236: A bill to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the "Long-Term Leasing Act"), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes.
- 118-S-5559 (not yet synced)