U.S. Senate passed the Native American Child Protection Act (NACPA), a bill spearheaded by Rep. Ruben Gallego that aims to equip tribal entities with critical tools for addressing child abuse and family violence within Native American communities, a piece of legislation now poised to become law pending the President's signature, as per a report from Representative Ruben Gallego's official site. "It is a heartbreaking fact that Native children face disproportionately high levels of abuse. It is past time the federal government steps up to address this crisis," said Rep. Gallego, shedding light on the urgent reality faced by Native families and fulfilling a legislative mission initiated by the late Senator John McCain.
The foundation of these programs dates back to 1990 and was included in Senator McCain's Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, but funding fell short over the years and congressional reauthorization remained elusive, with Rep. Gallego taking up the mantle in what he described as an honor "to carry the torch across the finish line" in these waning weeks of his term in the House, as reported by Gallego's official site.
Senators Ben Ray Luján and Susan Collins, who championed the legislation in the Senate, lauded the bipartisan effort, as reported by Gallego's press office, "I’m proud that Congress has passed the Native American Child Protection Act with bipartisan support and now this legislation will go to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law", said Senator Luján, emphasizing the importance of providing tribes with the capabilities to protect their children and, in Senator Collins' words, "to live in an environment free from abuse," thus respecting each tribe's cultural uniqueness while furnishing the support necessary for their youth and families.
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