H.R. 165Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

1 recorded actionWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: Dusty Johnson [R-SD]
Policy area: Native Americans
Committees: Natural Resources Committee, Indian Affairs Committee
Latest action: Dec 19, 2025 · Became Public Law No: 119-61.

IntroducedJan 3, 2025
Passed the HouseJan 22, 2025
Passed the SenateDec 11, 2025
Sent to the PresidentDec 18, 2025
Became lawDec 19, 2025

What the measure doesCRS summary

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.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing H.R. 165 as public Law on Dec 19, 2025. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

How every member votedHouse roll call 22

House Jan 22, 2025

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

Passed · Two-thirds required

416 Yea 0 Nay 17 not voting

Crossed both parties No voting member broke with their own party.

Open the official roll call

How the chamber split

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DemocratsIndependentsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

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All members433 members

Democratic215 members

Independent1 member

Republican217 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.