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Public Law119th CongressNative Americans
H.R. 165Became Law

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Dec 19, 2025)

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

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.

What just happenedDec 19, 2025

Became Public Law No: 119-61.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large](R-SD)Sponsor
Read on Congress.gov
2committees25actions1related bills5subjects
  1. Dec 19, 2025PresidentE40000

    Became Public Law No: 119-61.

  2. Dec 19, 2025BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 119-61.

  3. Dec 19, 2025PresidentE30000

    Signed by President.

  4. Dec 19, 2025BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Dec 18, 2025FloorE20000

    Presented to President.

  6. Dec 18, 2025President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Dec 15, 2025Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Dec 11, 2025Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8685)

  9. Dec 11, 2025Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  10. Oct 2, 2025Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 177.

  11. Oct 2, 2025Committee

    Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-72.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  12. Oct 2, 2025Committee14000

    Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-72.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  13. Mar 5, 2025Committee

    Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  14. Jan 23, 2025IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  15. Jan 22, 2025FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  16. Jan 22, 2025FloorH37300

    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)

  17. Jan 22, 2025Floor8000

    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)

  18. Jan 22, 2025FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H285)

  19. Jan 21, 2025FloorH37220

    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.

  20. Jan 21, 2025FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 165.

  21. Jan 21, 2025FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H246-248)

  22. Jan 21, 2025FloorH30300

    Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  23. Jan 3, 2025IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

    Natural Resources Committee
  24. Jan 3, 2025IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  25. Jan 3, 2025IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Public LawDec 19, 202549

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

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.

Introduced in HouseJan 3, 2025

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

This bill 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 bill 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.