WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 165 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-61

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

Became lawNative Americans
IntroducedJan 3, 2025
Passed HouseJan 22, 2025
Passed SenateDec 11, 2025
To PresidentDec 18, 2025
Became lawDec 19, 2025

How this bill changes the law

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H.R. 165 doesn't change any existing section of law. It created 2 new provisions of its own. Read from the bill text in its final form, as sent to the President.

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Definitions
  • Sec. 3 Land held in restricted fee status by the Tribes
What the words changed: every change, in place (0)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what was struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

    From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

    What it does

    Sourced

    Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

    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.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Public Law, Dec 19, 2025).

    Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

    What has happened

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    1. 2025-12-19Became Public Law No: 119-61.Library of Congress
    2. 2025-12-19Signed by President.Library of Congress
    3. 2025-12-18Presented to President.Library of Congress
    4. 2025-12-11Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
    5. 2025-10-02Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-72.Library of Congress
    6. 2025-01-22Passed/agreed to in House: 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 recordLibrary of Congress
    7. 2025-01-03Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

    Show all 25 recorded actions

    After it became law

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    Since it became law on Dec 19, 2025, the Federal Register, the government's daily record of rules and notices, has published 1 document that name it: 1 notice.

    Named in the body of the document

    The quote shows how each one uses the law: as the reason for a change, as background, or in passing.

    1. NoticeDec 22, 2025Ocean Energy Management Bureau, Interior Department
      Alaska Outer Continental Shelf, Cook Inlet Planning Area, Oil and Gas Lease Sale 258
      The sale was required to be held no later than December 31, 2022, by the Inflation Reduction Act (Pub. L. 119-61).

    Found by searching the Federal Register for Public Law 119-61 and the law's names, then reading each document: every one listed contains them, and the quote is its own words. An agency can carry out a law without naming it, so this list can miss some. Checked Oct 27, 2026. Every new law's rules

    Recorded votes

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    Jan 22, 2025 · House roll call 22 · needed 2/3

    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: Passed 416–0

    R 216 yes, 0 no, 2 present or not votingD 200 yes, 0 no, 15 present or not voting

    How each member voted · Official record