Press Releases

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Ralph Norman (R-SC) announced that earlier this week, H.R. 4463, legislation to amend the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993, advanced through the House Committee on Natural Resources and is now headed to the House floor for consideration.

The 1993 Settlement Act restored federal recognition to the Catawba Indian Nation, resolved longstanding land claims, and established provisions governing tribal membership and governance. H.R. 4463 makes targeted reforms to the 1993 Settlement Act by removing the federal requirement that individuals seeking tribal enrollment must have maintained continuous political relations with the Tribe. Under the legislation, eligibility would instead be based on lineal descent, allowing the Catawba Nation greater authority to determine its own membership policies consistent with its constitution and current federal policy on self-determination.

“South Carolina’s Catawba Nation has a long and important history in our state,” said Congressman Norman. “My bill respects tribal self-governance while ensuring federal law reflects the realities of today. I appreciate the work of the Committee on Natural Resources in moving this bill forward, and I look forward to its consideration on the House floor.”

“I thank Rep. Norman for his leadership in advancing targeted updates to the Catawba Indian Nation’s settlement statute, empowering the Nation to modernize its citizenship requirements in a manner that reflects its own values and priorities,” added House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman. “Rep. Norman’s work reflects a thoughtful approach to honor historic commitments while supporting stable, self-governed decision-making within the Tribe.”

Read the bill HERE.