Tom Cole (R-OK)
Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 21 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, 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
This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States. The Commission is tasked with investigating the histories, policies, and long-term effects of Indian boarding schools on Native American peoples. It includes several advisory committees and a specific subcommittee for survivors to assist in this mission. The goal is to develop Federal recommendations and promote healing for survivors, their descendants, and their communities. The Act also addresses matters regarding burial management and co-stewardship of cemeteries.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill establishes a Commission to investigate historical injustices and promote healing for Native American communities.
- Scored +7
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill establishes a commission to investigate the systematic impacts of boarding school policies on Native American communities.
- Scored +5
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill provides a platform for survivors of boarding schools to share their stories and seek healing.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Promotion of Healing: The Act aims to promote healing for survivors of Indian Boarding Schools, their descendants, and their communities (Section 2).
-
Investigation of Historical Impact: The Commission will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the social, cultural, economic, emotional, and physical effects of boarding school policies (Section 111(a)(1)).
-
Trauma-Informed Support: The Commission is required to ensure that meetings and convenings provide access to adequate trauma-informed care services for participants and communities (Section 111(b)(2)).
-
Burial Management and Preservation: The Act directs the Commission to coordinate the location, documentation, and preservation of burial sites, including marked and unmarked graves (Section 111(d)).
-
Repatriation and Reburial: Federal agencies are permitted to allow the reburial of cultural items that have been repatriated on Federal land as agreed upon by the relevant parties (Section 302).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Private Right of Action: The Act explicitly states that nothing within it creates a private right of action to seek administrative or judicial relief (Section 304).
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 establishes a Commission to investigate historical injustices and promote healing for Native American communities. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill provides a platform for survivors of boarding schools to share their stories and seek healing. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The impact is primarily focused on cultural and historical justice rather than economic status.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill establishes a commission to investigate the systematic impacts of boarding school policies on Native American communities. Does this strengthen Social Security? — The bill focuses on historical truth and healing rather than modern social security benefits.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Commission to submit annual reports to Congress and make a final report publicly available.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The Act requires the Commission to ensure that meetings and convenings provide access to adequate trauma-informed care services.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill allows for co-stewardship agreements for the management of cemeteries on federal land.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — While the bill involves historic schools, it focuses on investigation and healing rather than new funding for public schools.
- 10/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/31/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/14/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/18/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/3/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/4/2026
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- 2/3/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Jack BergmanRepublican · Michigan
Juan CiscomaniRepublican · Arizona
Sharice DavidsDemocrat · Kansas
Jake EllzeyRepublican · Texas
Charles FleischmannRepublican · Tennessee
Randy FineRepublican · Florida
Vicente GonzalezDemocrat · Texas
Erin HouchinRepublican · Indiana
Kevin KileyIndependent · California
Nicholas LangworthyRepublican · New York
Tracey MannRepublican · Kansas
Gwen MooreDemocrat · Wisconsin
John MoolenaarRepublican · Michigan
James MoylanRepublican · Guam
Dan NewhouseRepublican · Washington
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine
John RutherfordRepublican · Florida
Thomas SuozziDemocrat · New York
Gabe VasquezDemocrat · New Mexico
Rudy YakymRepublican · Indiana