Photo from Sen Catherine Cortez Masto Facebook page(Click Here)
Since the beginning of my career in public service, one of my top priorities has been fighting to end the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) crisis.
That’s why I am so proud that the Senate just passed my Tribal Access to Electronic Evidence Act, which would provide Tribal courts the same ability to issue warrants for electronic evidence, like emails and social media messages, as their non-Tribal counterparts. With online platforms increasingly used to facilitate crime, Tribal law enforcement access to electronic evidence is more necessary than ever.
This is an important victory, but there is still so much more work to be done.
I’m glad that my Senate colleagues passed this bill, but the House of Representatives needs to do the same.
Even if this bill becomes law, however, I have two other bills to combat the epidemic of violence that Tribal communities face. And these bills are just as important to get across the finish line.
My BADGES for Native Communities Act would support the recruitment and retention of Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officers and bolster federal missing persons resources. My Tribal Warrant Fairness Act would allow the U.S. Marshals Service to help Tribal law enforcement track down violent criminals and search for missing children.
Ending the MMIP crisis will take an all-of-the-above approach, and I am committed to delivering the solutions that Tribal community members, law enforcement officers, and victims’ advocates are demanding.
