{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/crapo-heinrich-lamalfa-torres-reintroduce-the-native-american-seeds-act", "Crapo, Heinrich, LaMalfa, Torres Reintroduce the Native American Seeds Act", "2025-12-04", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ID", "Mike Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", "crapo", "https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.--Today, U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), along with U.S. Representatives Doug LaMalfa (R-California) and Norma Torres (D-California), reintroduced the Native American Seeds Act of 2025. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation would assist tribal governments working to protect seeds that are culturally significant to their communities.\n\n\u201cBy empowering tribal self-governance and equipping native communities with the tools to preserve traditional agriculture systems and culturally significant seeds, we can help safeguard these deeply rooted practices for generations to come,\u201d said Crapo.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to lead legislation that will help preserve Tribes\u2019 cultural practices and way of life by protecting Native seeds and traditional foodways for future generations,\u201d said Heinrich. \u201cThis effort will grow local economies in Indian Country and help ensure Tribal members remain connected to their culture and heritage.\u201d\n\n\u201cProtecting native heritage starts with making sure seeds that hold traditional importance aren\u2019t lost to disaster or neglect,\u201d said Rep. LaMalfa. \u201cThis legislation gives Tribes the flexibility they need to preserve and grow these plants on their own terms. With wildfires, drought, and other challenges threatening seed stocks nationwide, this bill strengthens farming efforts on reservations and helps maintain a link to traditions that shouldn\u2019t be pushed aside. I\u2019m pleased to join Congresswoman Torres in leading this effort.\u201d\n\n\u201cTraditional seeds hold centuries of knowledge, culture, and resilience,\u201d said Congresswoman Torres. \u201cThis bill recognizes the fundamental importance of preserving these seeds\u2014not just for food security, but for the cultural, spiritual, and environmental legacy they carry. From ceremonial practices to sustainable agriculture, Native communities have cultivated these seeds with intention and care. The Native American Seeds Act of 2025 will help ensure that future generations can continue these traditions and protect their heritage. I\u2019m proud to partner with Congressman LaMalfa, Senator Heinrich, and Senator Crapo to champion this vital effort.\u201d\n\n\"The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes appreciate the efforts of Senator Crapo, Senator Heinrich, Representative Torres, and Representative LaMalfa to introduce this important legislation to assist us in our efforts to preserve seeds for numerous plants, including camas, bitterroot, wild onions, sage, and chokecherry, that hold deep cultural, historical, and ceremonial significance to us. This bill will help the federal government honor its obligations under the Fort Bridger Treaty of 1868 and enable future generations to continue our traditional ways of life,\u201d said Donna Thompson, Chairwoman, Fort Hall Business Council, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.\n\nThe Native American Seeds Act of 2025 directs the U.S. Secretary of the Department of the Interior to work with Tribes to identify Native American seeds and to support tribal seed banks, related facilities and traditional agricultural systems. Additionally, the legislation prohibits the disclosure of culturally sensitive or proprietary tribal information provided to the Department.\n\nAcross the country, factors such as wildfire, drought, insect/disease outbreak, inclement weather and contamination have increased the challenges that Tribes face in preserving their seeds. This bill will help ensure that tribal connections to plants holding traditional importance will continue for future generations while also strengthening food security, improving physical and mental health outcomes and expanding opportunity and participation on reservations.\n\nRead full text of the bill HERE.\n\nOriginal co-sponsors: Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona) and Senator Ben Lujan (D-New Mexico)\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/crapo-heinrich-lamalfa-torres-reintroduce-the-native-american-seeds-act"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.820924062281847, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}