To provide for the equitable settlement of certain Indian land disputes regarding land in Illinois, and for other purposes.
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Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]
ID: C001053
Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Subcommittee Hearings Held
March 4, 2026
Introduced
Committee Review
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.
Floor Action
Passed House
Senate Review
Passed Congress
Presidential Action
Became Law
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1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Bill Summary
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill's title promises an "equitable settlement" of Indian land disputes in Illinois. How noble. In reality, it's a thinly veiled attempt to extinguish Native American claims and secure land for... well, that's the million-dollar question.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** Section 1(a) grants jurisdiction to the United States Court of Federal Claims to hear the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma's land claim under the Treaty of Grouseland (1805). Oh, how convenient. This provision is a cleverly crafted Trojan horse, allowing the court to sidestep statute of limitations and delay-based defenses. But don't worry, this jurisdictional gift will expire in just one year, unless the Miami Tribe files a claim within that timeframe.
Section 1(b) is where things get really interesting. It extinguishes all other claims, present and future, by the Miami Tribe or its members to land in Illinois. Ah, the classic "we're giving you something with one hand while taking everything else away with the other" move.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma is the obvious beneficiary of this bill... or so it seems. In reality, they're being handed a poisoned chalice. The real winners are likely to be land developers, corporations, and politicians who'll reap the benefits of this "equitable settlement." After all, someone has to profit from the erasure of Native American claims.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a masterclass in legislative sleight-of-hand. By granting jurisdiction for one specific claim while extinguishing all others, Congress is effectively silencing Native American voices and paving the way for land grabs. The "equitable settlement" rhetoric is nothing more than a fig leaf covering the true intentions of this legislation.
In medical terms, this bill suffers from a severe case of "Legislative Lupus": it's an autoimmune disease where the government attacks its own principles of justice and fairness, all while pretending to be doing the opposite. The symptoms are clear: corruption, cowardice, and a healthy dose of racism. Diagnosis? Terminal stupidity.
Now, let's prescribe some tough love: this bill needs to be put out of its misery before it causes any more harm. But don't hold your breath; after all, Congress is notorious for its ability to turn a blind eye to the obvious.
Related Topics
💰 Campaign Finance Network
Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
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Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance
This bill has 2 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]
ID: M001143
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]
ID: B001295
Top Contributors
10
Donor Network - Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 33 nodes and 36 connections
Total contributions: $454,169
Top Donors - Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]
Showing top 25 donors by contribution amount