WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes Act (RESPECT) was signed into law by the president. The law will repeal 11 discriminatory federal laws.
South Dakota’s junior U.S. Senator Mike Rounds originally introduced the RESPECT Act in 2016. At the time, Cabinet Secretary David Flute was the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe chairman and testified in favor of the RESPECT Act. Flute celebrates the passage of the repeal.
“I am happy to see the passage of the RESPECT Act and thank Senator Rounds for his dedication and leadership to take laws out of our federal codes that are outdated and improper towards American Indians. This approved legislation truly improves reconciliation efforts between our governments,” said Flute. “I am also grateful to Congressman Johnson and the role he played in getting this legislation passed.”
South Dakota is home to nine tribes, and the repeal of these laws’ aids in rectifying historical wrongs to American Indians.
