House Passes AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act

Washington, D.C. -- The House of Representatives today approved by voice vote the Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act (S. 772). The AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act helps ensure Native American children are afforded the same protections as the rest of the country in the event of an abduction.  Similar legislation was introduced by Congressman Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) and was approved by the House Judiciary Committee. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Congressman Biggs applauded today’s House approval of the Ashlynne Mike Amber Alert in Indian Country Act in the statements below. Chairman Goodlatte: "When a child is abducted, it’s imperative that law enforcement agencies are able to get the word out to the public as soon as possible in order to help find the child and shield him or her from further harm. While our country has made great strides in alerting the public through the AMBER Alert system, it’s clear that more can and must be done, especially for Native American children. The Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act ensures that critical grants providing AMBER Alert systems are made available to Indian tribes. I thank Congressman Biggs for his leadership on this bill and applaud the House for quickly passing it." Congressman Biggs: "It is gratifying to join my colleagues of both parties as we change policy that saves lives. While many of the issues Congress debates are politically charged, we put our differences aside to pass bills such as the Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act.  Ms. Pamela Foster, the mother of Ashlynne Mike, has turned the grief she felt at her daughter’s abduction and murder into the hope of making the AMBER Alert program available everywhere in America. Without Ms. Foster’s bravery and perseverance, this bill would not be a reality. I thank her for her efforts – and those of Senator John McCain, House leadership and staff, Chairman Goodlatte and House Judiciary Staff, my House colleagues, and many Arizona advocates. Together, we are assuring that ALL children are protected by the jurisdiction of the AMBER Alert system." Background: According to the FBI, more than 7,700 American Indian children are listed as missing across the United States. The Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act clarifies that Indian tribes are eligible for Department of Justice (DOJ) grants that help assemble AMBER Alert systems for law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act reauthorizes the DOJ grant program that assists state and local governments in developing and implementing AMBER Alert communication plans. These communication plans are used by law enforcement agencies to expedite child abduction alerts to the public. The bill requires the Justice Department to use funds for these grants not only to continue the development and enhancement of AMBER Alert Communication plans, but also for the integration of tribal AMBER Alert systems into state AMBER Alert plans.