All Roll Calls
Yes: 337 • No: 79
117-s-1402117th CongressWALLET
Durbin Feeling Native American Languages Act of 2022
Sponsored By: Senator Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Became Law
Summary
Strengthens federal support for Native American languages by requiring agency evaluations and creating a regular, comprehensive Survey on Native American Languages to guide revitalization efforts.
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- Gives tribes and language communities a national survey to document which languages are spoken, estimate numbers of speakers, record language use, and inventory ongoing revitalization projects. Participation is voluntary and sensitive information is protected.
- Requires the President to have federal departments complete evaluations within 1 year and directs the Secretaries of the Interior, Health and Human Services, and Education to report recommendations to Congress to align laws, improve interagency coordination, and reduce duplication that blocks language work.
- Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Native Americans, to run the survey every 5 years with tribal consultation, coordination with the Census if useful, and outreach via grants or contracts. It authorizes $1.5 million per fiscal year to support survey-related activities.
*Authorizes $1.5 million per fiscal year for survey-related activities during survey years, adding that level of federal spending in those years.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Federal report on Native language programs
The President requires federal agencies to review how they support Native American languages. Within 1 year, a report goes to Congress with the results. Interior, HHS, and Education provide recommendations after consulting tribes and language leaders. The advice aims to fix laws, improve coordination, and cut duplication and barriers to programs.
Regular survey of Native American languages
HHS runs a national survey on Native American languages within 18 months and every 5 years. It asks which languages are spoken, how many speakers, usage, programs, and unmet needs. HHS can work with the Census and fund tribes and nonprofits for outreach. Participation is voluntary; plans publish within 1 year and before each survey, with results posted within 90 days after analysis. Congress authorizes $1.5 million each year before and during a survey.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
HI • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
AK • R
Sponsored 4/28/2021
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
NV • D
Sponsored 12/1/2022
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 12/22/2022
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Yes: 337 • No: 79