A bill to amend the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993 with respect to future membership in the Catawba Indian Nation.
- Sponsor
- Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
- Committees
- Indian Affairs Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 23, 2026
Bottom line
This bill simplifies the federal criteria for membership in the Catawba Indian Nation by removing the "political relations" requirement, potentially allowing more lineal descendants to enroll.
What it actually does
The bill amends the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993 by removing a specific criterion for tribal membership. It eliminates the requirement that an individual must have "continued to maintain political relations with the Tribe" to be enrolled as a tribal member, leaving lineal descent as the sole federal statutory criterion. This change would potentially expand the pool of individuals eligible for membership in the Catawba Indian Nation.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that removing the "political relations" requirement streamlines the membership process and aligns federal law more closely with the tribe's inherent sovereignty to determine its own membership. They contend it rectifies an outdated or overly restrictive federal imposition, allowing the tribe greater autonomy and potentially reuniting families or individuals who may have lost formal "political relations" through no fault of their own over time.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that the original "political relations" clause served to ensure active engagement and cultural connection within the tribe, and its removal could dilute tribal identity or strain resources by expanding membership without a clear demonstration of active community ties. They might contend that the original intent was to prevent enrollment of individuals with only a distant genealogical link but no ongoing connection to the tribal community.
The bill text is extremely short and can be read in under a minute, making it highly accessible for immediate understanding of its direct statutory change.
Section 1.
Amendment to Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993 Regarding Future Membership
This provision amends Section 7(d) of the 1993 Settlement Act. It strikes language that required individuals to have "continued to maintain political relations with the Tribe" in addition to being a lineal descendant to be enrolled as a tribal member. The effect is to remove this specific federal statutory barrier to membership, leaving lineal descent as the primary federal criterion for eligibility.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue this amendment respects tribal sovereignty by allowing the Catawba Nation to define its own membership criteria without an extraneous federal requirement. They believe it could help reconnect individuals to their heritage and community, fostering a stronger tribal identity.
Critics contend
Opponents might express concern that removing the "political relations" clause could lead to a surge in membership applications from individuals who have not been actively involved in the tribal community, potentially straining tribal resources or altering the community's social fabric. They might argue the original clause ensured a living connection to the tribe.
Tradeoffs
The bill balances the principle of tribal self-determination in defining membership against concerns about maintaining the active community and cultural ties that the original "political relations" clause sought to ensure. It also navigates the tension between federal oversight and tribal sovereignty.