U.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) have reintroduced the Indian Buffalo Management Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at supporting tribal capacity to own and manage buffalo on tribal lands.
The proposed legislation would require the U.S. Department of the Interior to collaborate with tribes and tribal organizations through contracts, consultations, and technical assistance for buffalo restoration or management activities.
Senator Mullin stated, “The buffalo is essential to our heritage and must be supported. I am proud to reintroduce this important legislation that will help Tribes reestablish buffalo herds on reservation lands. Doing so ensures that Native peoples across the country will continue reconnecting with a keystone of their historic culture and way of life.”
Senator Heinrich added, “For generations, buffalo have been a critical part of our culture – in New Mexico, the West, and especially in Indian Country. And I hope that within my lifetime, thanks to our broad coalition, buffalo will return to the prominent place they once occupied as the keystone species on American shortgrass prairies. That’s why I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation to strengthen federal support for Tribal buffalo programs and continue the growth of Tribal buffalo herds. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Mullin to strengthen this federal partnership and secure future funding for this initiative.”
Senator Mullin has long advocated for Oklahoma’s small businesses, rural development, and tribal affairs as part of his commitment to state communities (official website). Before joining the Senate in 2023 after ten years in the U.S. House of Representatives (official website), he was a business owner and rancher based in Westville (official website). As one of only two Cherokee Nation citizens ever elected to serve in the U.S. Senate (official website), he has prioritized policies related to agriculture, energy independence, veterans’ issues, education policy, parental rights in education, Second Amendment rights (official website), as well as support for rural Americans.
Mullin currently serves on several key Senate committees including Armed Services; Appropriations; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; and Indian Affairs (official website). He maintains his primary residence on his family ranch in Westville (official website).
The full text of the Indian Buffalo Management Act is available online.
