H.R. 165 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-61
Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
3 sections in the law, all of them in the bill as introduced.
Signed December 19, 2025 · Introduced January 3, 2025 in the House
Sponsor: Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD)
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Official title
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to complete all actions necessary for certain land to be held in restricted fee status by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and for other purposes.
Official summary (Congressional Research Service) · as public law
This act directs the Department of the Interior to complete all actions necessary to place approximately 40 acres of land in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota, into restricted fee status for the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Restricted fee status refers to land that is owned by a tribe or tribal member but is subject to restrictions by the United States against alienation (i.e., sale or transfer) or encumbrance (e.g., liens, leases, or rights-of-way) by operation of law.
The act requires the land to be held and maintained as a memorial and sacred site, as outlined by the document titled Covenant Between the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and dated October 21, 2022. Further, it prohibits commercial development and gaming activity on the land.
How it became law
- IntroducedJan 3
- CommitteeMar 5
- HouseJan 22
- SenateDec 11
- SignedDec 19
As introduced: To direct the Secretary of the Interior to complete all actions necessary for certain land to be held in restricted fee status by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and for other purposes.
Key steps, cosponsors and text changes (15)
Sponsor
HouseReferred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
- Text: Introduced in House
3 sections
HouseOn 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)
- Text: Engrossed in House
3 sections, no changes
SenateReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- Text: Referred in Senate
3 sections, no changes
SenateCommittee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- Text: Reported to Senate
3 sections, no changes
SenatePassed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8685)
HousePresented to President.
- Text: Enrolled Bill
3 sections, no changes
Became Public Law No: 119-61.
Signed by President.
Show every recorded step (22)
Sponsor
HouseReferred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
- Text: Introduced in House
3 sections
HouseAt 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.
HouseDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 165.
HouseConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H246-248)
HouseMr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
HouseOn 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)
HouseConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H285)
- Text: Engrossed in House
3 sections, no changes
SenateReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- Text: Referred in Senate
3 sections, no changes
SenateCommittee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
SenatePlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 177.
SenateCommittee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-72.
- Text: Reported to Senate
3 sections, no changes
SenatePassed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8685)
HousePresented to President.
- Text: Enrolled Bill
3 sections, no changes
Became Public Law No: 119-61.
Signed by President.
Source: GovInfo bill status and text versions. 0 cosponsors.
Every section
All 3 sections, in order
From the enrolled bill text on GovInfo. Read any section in full on Congress.gov.
- Sec. 1Short title
- Sec. 2Definitions
- Sec. 3Land held in restricted fee status by the Tribes
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Sources: bill text and status, GovInfo (Enrolled Bill) · Official summary, Congressional Research Service · Congress.gov, as of November 1, 2026. US government works are in the public domain · This bill on Congress.gov (opens in new tab)