AICommittee elects chair, vice chair for 119th Congress

Title

Committee elects chair, vice chair for 119th Congress

Purpose

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs convened its first meeting of the 119th Congress to conduct organizational business, including selecting its Chairman and Vice Chairman, adopting committee rules, and approving a funding resolution for committee operations. Chair Murkowski and Vice Chair Schatz, both continuing in their roles, praised the committee's bipartisan record over the prior four years before proceeding through the agenda items by voice vote. Begins at▶ 0:19:39

Who spoke

• Chair Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)▶ 0:19:39: Called the committee to order for its first organizational meeting of the 119th Congress, noting not all members were present yet▶ 0:19:39, and described the committee's broad jurisdiction over education, transportation, and public safety issues affecting Native people▶ 0:20:32. Presented former Chairman Schatz with a gift marking his tenure▶ 0:21:33, then led the committee through election of the chair and vice chair, adoption of committee rules, and adoption of the funding resolution, all approved by voice vote▶ 0:24:15.

• Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI)▶ 0:22:13: Joked about the bulkiness of the gift he received▶ 0:22:13 and thanked Murkowski for her leadership▶ 0:22:27. Reflected on the partnership with Murkowski over the past four years, citing shared commitment to tribal self-determination and treaty and trust responsibilities▶ 0:22:46▶ 0:23:13, and expressed pride in continuing as Vice Chair▶ 0:23:43.

Key moments

• Murkowski welcomed Senator Moran back to the committee, describing it as a "good committee" of mostly returning members▶ 0:20:32.

• Murkowski credited the committee, under Schatz's chairmanship, with helping lead the historic investments of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law▶ 0:21:33.

• Murkowski confirmed a quorum was present before proceeding to the formal agenda▶ 0:23:51.

• The committee unanimously elected Senator Murkowski as Chairman and Senator Schatz as Vice Chairman by voice vote▶ 0:24:46.

• Schatz emphasized that committee members "share a lot of the same values, not all of the same views"▶ 0:22:46.

• The committee adopted its rules unchanged from the prior Congress, with no proposed changes and no member questions▶ 0:24:56.

• The committee adopted the funding resolution authorizing committee expenditures for the 119th Congress by voice vote▶ 0:25:26.

• Murkowski adjourned the meeting after no members requested to make additional statements▶ 0:25:56.