Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026
Summary
Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026
This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States within the legislative branch and sets forth its powers, duties, and membership.
Among other duties, the commission must investigate the impacts and ongoing effects of the Indian Boarding School Policies (federal policies under which American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children were forcibly removed from their family homes and placed in boarding schools).
Further, the commission must develop recommendations on ways to (1) protect unmarked graves and accompanying land protections; (2) support repatriation and identify the tribal nations from which children were taken; and (3) discontinue the removal of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children from their families and tribal communities by state social service departments, foster care agencies, and adoption agencies.
Timeline
- Feb 3, 2026Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Feb 3, 2026Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Feb 3, 2026Introduced in House
- Feb 3, 2026Introduced in House
Cosponsors
- Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3] D-KS
- Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6] R-AZ
- Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3] R-TN
- Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4] R-WA
- Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1] R-MI
- Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23] R-NY
- Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2] R-NE
- Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2] R-IN
- Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6] R-FL
- Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9] R-IN
- Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3] R-CA
- Rep. Ellzey, Jake [R-TX-6] R-TX
- Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5] R-FL
- Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2] R-MI
- Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3] D-NY
- Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large] R-GU
- Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1] R-KS
In the News
- US bishops call on House to advance bill to investigate Indian boarding school legacy - OSV News
- Bishops urge action on bill to examine Indian boarding school policies - EWTN News
- Congress Vote: The House has passed H.R. 7744 - Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 - Quiver Quantitative
- Press Release: House Subcommittee Considers Legislation by Congressman Tom Cole on Tribal Land Claims - Quiver Quantitative
- Feburary 2026: Native American Legislative Update - Friends Committee On National Legislation
- Cole leads bipartisan push to uncover history of Indian boarding schools - NonDoc
- Our Experience Lobbying for Truth and Healing - Friends Committee On National Legislation
- Davids, Cole Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Investigate History of Indian Boarding Schools - Representative Sharice Davids | (.gov)