To provide for the equitable settlement of certain Indian land disputes regarding land in Illinois, and for other purposes.

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Bill ID: 119/hr/2827
Last Updated: March 5, 2026

Sponsored by

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

📚 How does a bill become a law?

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.

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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$435,669
25 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$395,269
Committees
$0
Individuals
$40,400

No PAC contributions found

1
EDGEWORTH PROTECTIVE SERVICES
1 transaction
$245,533
2
CHEROKEE NATION
3 transactions
$124,200
3
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS
2 transactions
$8,300
4
SAGINAW CHIPPEWA INDIAN TRIBE
1 transaction
$5,000
5
ROSEWOOD SAND HILL
1 transaction
$2,560
6
ISBELL FARMS
1 transaction
$1,500
7
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$1,500
8
THE CITIZEN HOTEL
1 transaction
$1,454
9
CAMBRIA HOTEL
1 transaction
$1,260
10
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
1 transaction
$1,000
11
JETBLUE AIRWAYS
1 transaction
$789
12
HYATT CENTRIC
1 transaction
$758
13
EMBASSY SUITES
1 transaction
$646
14
OEK NJ LLC
1 transaction
$500
15
M&T BANK
2 transactions
$219
16
COMMON SENSE PAC
1 transaction
$50

No committee contributions found

1
BANKE, BARBARA R. MS.
2 transactions
$6,600
2
SIDIROPOULOS, JIM MR.
1 transaction
$5,600
3
BERGER, RICHARD MR.
1 transaction
$5,000
4
LOEB, JOHN L. MR. JR
1 transaction
$5,000
5
BAUMRIND, MARTIN M. MR.
1 transaction
$5,000
6
DUIT, JAMES A
1 transaction
$3,300
7
DUIT, PAMELA A
1 transaction
$3,300
8
LAUDER, RONALD S.
1 transaction
$3,300
9
BERMAN, MYRON
1 transaction
$3,300

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

1
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE
Organization CASS LAKE, MN
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
2
PRAIRIE ISLAND INDIAN COMMUNITY
Organization WELCH, MN
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
3
SNOQUALMIE TRIBE
Organization SNOQUALMIE, WA
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
4
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Mar 30, 2023
5
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization CATOOSA, OK
$3,300
Jun 20, 2024
6
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
Organization TACOMA, WA
$3,300
Jun 27, 2024
7
WHITE EARTH BAND OF CHIPPEWA
Organization WHITE EARTH, MN
$3,300
Jun 20, 2024
8
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization CATOOSA, OK
$3,300
Sep 23, 2024
9
MOORETOWN RANCHERIA
Organization OROVILLE, CA
$3,300
Sep 27, 2024
10
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
Organization TEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024

Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]

ID: B001295

Top Contributors

10

1
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
Organization MARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Feb 21, 2024
2
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
Organization MARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Aug 14, 2024
3
MIAMI TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Organization MIAMI, OK
$2,000
Aug 14, 2024
4
CAMPBELL FARMS
Organization CARMI, IL
$1,500
Sep 19, 2023
5
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
Organization OKMULGEE, OK
$1,000
Jun 25, 2024
6
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
Organization OKMULGEE, OK
$500
Jun 25, 2024
7
WAITE, TOMB & EBERLY LLP
Organization TROY, OH
$500
Apr 1, 2024
8
EMMET, RICHARD
NONE RETIRED
Individual LARCHMONT, NY
$6,600
Nov 21, 2023
9
GILLIAM, RICHARD
CUMBERLAND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Individual CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
$6,600
Nov 21, 2023
10
SCHWAB, CHARLES
CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION CHAIRMAN
Individual PALM BEACH, FL
$6,600
Dec 19, 2023

Donor Network - Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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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

16 Orgs9 Individuals