Bill · H.R. 5144· House(119-HR-5144)
Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County, Virginia, Federal Recognition Act
- Introduced
- 9/4/2025
- Last activity
- 9/4/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Jennifer Kiggans
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill aims to extend Federal recognition to the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County, Virginia. It establishes the Tribe as eligible for federal services and benefits available to recognized Indian Tribes. The legislation provides for the Secretary of the Interior to take certain lands held by the Tribe into trust. It also outlines the governing body and membership requirements for the Tribe. Additionally, the bill contains specific restrictions regarding gaming activities.
Yes· 3 of 16
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+10
Directly provides federal recognition and benefits to the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+8
Corrects historical 'paper genocide' and lack of recognition for the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Tribe.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+7
Low-income tribal members will benefit significantly from new access to federal services.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-3
The explicit prohibition of gaming activities prevents the tribe from developing a gaming business.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Federal Services and Benefits: The Tribe and its citizens will become eligible for all services and benefits provided by the Federal Government to federally recognized Indian Tribes (Section 4(b)(1)).
-
Land into Trust: The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to take lands held in fee by the Tribe, if acquired on or before January 1, 2007, and located in Southampton County, into trust (Section 7(a)).
-
Reservation Recognition: Any land taken into trust may be considered part of the Tribe's reservation upon their request (Section 7(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Gaming Restrictions: The Tribe is prohibited from conducting gaming activities under inherent authority or under any Federal law, including the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Section 8).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+10Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Children+5Good For Middle Aged+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Seniors+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For High Income Households+2Good For Business Owners-3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+8Improves Poverty Reduction+6Improves Affordable Housing+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+6Improves Rural Development+4
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- 9/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/4/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
John McGuireRepublican · Virginia
Maria SalazarRepublican · Florida
Robert ScottDemocrat · Virginia
Robert WittmanRepublican · Virginia