Federal · 119th Congress
Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
Policy areaNative Americans
Summary
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.
Sponsor
Floor votes
Other titles2
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to complete all actions necessary for certain land to be held in restricted fee status by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and for other purposes.Official Title as IntroducedOfficial Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill text
Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site ActShort Title(s) as IntroducedShort Title(s) as Reported to SenateShort Title(s) as Passed HouseShort Titles from ENR (Enrolled) bill textShort Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill text
Legislative history18
Dec 19, 2025
PresidentBecame Public Law No: 119-61.
Dec 19, 2025
PresidentSigned by President.
Dec 18, 2025
House · FloorPresented to President.
Dec 15, 2025
Senate · FloorMessage on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 11, 2025
Senate · FloorPassed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8685)
Oct 2, 2025
SenatePlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 177.
Oct 2, 2025
Senate · CommitteeCommittee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-72.
Mar 5, 2025
Senate · CommitteeCommittee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Jan 23, 2025
SenateReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Jan 22, 2025
House · FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 22, 2025
House · Floor
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)Roll Call 22416–0
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Jan 22, 2025
House · FloorConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H285)
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Documents8
Texts
Public Law 119-61LatestPublic LawU.S. Government Publishing OfficeDec 19, 2025The final text sent to the PresidentEnrolled BillU.S. Government Publishing OfficeDec 17, 2025As referred to a Senate committeeReferred in SenateU.S. Government Publishing OfficeJan 23, 2025As passed by the HouseEngrossed in HouseU.S. Government Publishing OfficeJan 22, 2025As reported by the Senate committeeReported in SenateU.S. Government Publishing OfficeOct 2, 2025As introduced in the HouseIntroduced in HouseU.S. Government Publishing OfficeJan 3, 2025