To sever United States Government relations with the Creek Nation of Oklahoma until such time as the Creek Nation of Oklahoma restores full Tribal citizenship to the Creek Freedmen disenfranchised in the October 6, 1979, Creek Nation vote and fulfills all its treaty obligations with the Government of the United States, and for other purposes.

12/31/2022, 5:05 AM

Summary of Bill HR 4637

Bill 117 hr 4637, also known as the "Creek Freedmen Restoration Act," aims to sever the United States Government's relations with the Creek Nation of Oklahoma until certain conditions are met. The bill specifically calls for the Creek Nation to restore full Tribal citizenship to the Creek Freedmen who were disenfranchised in a vote that took place on October 6, 1979. Additionally, the bill requires the Creek Nation to fulfill all of its treaty obligations with the Government of the United States.

The Creek Freedmen are descendants of African American slaves who were owned by members of the Creek Nation. Despite being granted citizenship in the Creek Nation following the Civil War, the Creek Freedmen were stripped of their citizenship rights in the 1979 vote, which has been a source of contention and legal battles ever since.

If passed, this bill would put pressure on the Creek Nation to rectify the disenfranchisement of the Creek Freedmen and uphold their treaty obligations with the United States. The bill does not specify any punitive measures if the Creek Nation fails to comply, but it serves as a clear statement of the United States' stance on the issue. Overall, the bill seeks to address historical injustices and ensure that the Creek Freedmen are granted the rights and recognition they deserve within the Creek Nation of Oklahoma.

Congressional Summary of HR 4637

This bill directs the United States to sever all relations with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma (i.e., Creek Nation) until the tribe complies with treaty and federal obligations.

Specifically, Creek Nation must restore full tribal citizenship to those individuals who can trace their ancestry to individuals listed on the 1906 Dawes Commission Rolls for the Creek Freedmen (i.e., Creek Freedmen, Freedmen, and Black Creeks).

The bill also suspends the tribe's authority to conduct gaming or administer any funds from gaming until the tribe is in compliance with all treaty and federal obligations.

The bill requires the Department of the Interior to (1) coordinate with federal agencies and receive reports from such agencies; (2) submit monthly compliance reports; and (3) issue a report on the status of Freedmen in the Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole Nations of Oklahoma, including their access to tribal benefits.

The Department of Justice must issue a finding on whether the civil rights of the Freedmen have been violated by the Creek Nation, Interior, or both. The bill establishes a private right of action for Freedmen.

The bill directs the Government Accountability Office to issue an annual report on the tribe's expenditure of federal funds and whether the tribe is in full compliance with all federal laws related to the management and disbursement of such funds.

Read the Full Bill

Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Current Status of Bill HR 4637

Bill HR 4637 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since July 22, 2021. Bill HR 4637 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the House on July 22, 2021. Bill HR 4637's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. as of November 1, 2022

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 4637

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 4637

Primary Policy Focus

Native Americans

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 4637

To sever United States Government relations with the Creek Nation of Oklahoma until such time as the Creek Nation of Oklahoma restores full Tribal citizenship to the Creek Freedmen disenfranchised in the October 6, 1979, Creek Nation vote and fulfills all its treaty obligations with the Government of the United States, and for other purposes.To sever United States Government relations with the Creek Nation of Oklahoma until such time as the Creek Nation of Oklahoma restores full Tribal citizenship to the Creek Freedmen disenfranchised in the October 6, 1979, Creek Nation vote and fulfills all its treaty obligations with the Government of the United States, and for other purposes.

Start holding our government accountable!

Comments

Sponsors and Cosponsors of HR 4637

Danny K. Davis

Illinois(Democrat)

Sheila Jackson Lee

Texas(Democrat)

Latest Bills

International Nuclear Energy Financing Act of 2025

Bill HR 1474April 5, 2025

Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

Bill HCONRES 14April 5, 2025

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Streamline the Code of Federal Regulations Act of 2025

Bill S 1110April 5, 2025

A bill to establish clear and consistent biological definitions of male and female.

Bill S 1147April 5, 2025

A bill to amend title 28, United States Code, to prohibit the issuance of national injunctions, and for other purposes.

Bill S 1206April 5, 2025

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1836) to amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the time during which members of the Armed Forces serve on active duty for training qualifies for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4673) to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the automatic enrollment of eligible veterans in patient enrollment system of Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.

Bill HRES 860April 17, 2024