WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 504 - the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act - introduced by Congressman Carlos Gimenez with strong bipartisan support.

This legislation incorporates the Osceola Camp into the Miccosukee Reserved Area, strengthening the Tribe’s governance and enhancing infrastructure within the community. It also ensures improved water management into Everglades National Park while preserving the integrity of the Osceola Camp and protecting its residents.

Watch Rep. Gimenez's floor speech on H.R. 504 HERE.

Read Rep. Gimenez's full statement on the House floor below:

I RISE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF MY BILL, H.R. 504, THE MICCOSUKEE RESERVED AREA AMENDMENTS ACT. THIS BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION ENSURES THAT THE MICCOSUKEE TRIBE HAS THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO MANAGE, PROTECT, AND PRESERVE THEIR LAND — AND CONTINUE THEIR TRADITIONAL WAY OF LIFE. SPECIFICALLY, THIS BILL AMENDS THE MICCOSUKEE RESERVED AREA ACT TO INCLUDE THE OSCEOLA CAMP, AN INHABITED TRIBAL VILLAGE LOCATED WITHIN THE HEART OF FLORIDA'S EVERGLADES. THE OSCEOLA CAMP IS NOT ONLY HOME TO TRIBAL MEMBERS, BUT IT IS ALSO A SITE OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL IMPORTANCE. INCLUDING THIS LAND IN THE RESERVED AREA WILL EMPOWER THE TRIBE TO PROTECT THEIR COMMUNITY, MANAGE WATER FLOW INTO EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, AND RAISE STRUCTURES WITHIN THE CAMP TO PREVENT CATASTROPHIC FLOODING.THE EVERGLADES IS THE LARGEST SUBTROPICAL WILDERNESS IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES, AND ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE ECOSYSTEMS ON THE PLANET. FOR GENERATIONS, THE MICCOSUKEE TRIBE HAS SERVED AS A RESPONSIBLE STEWARD OF THE FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT. THEIR LEADERSHIP IN CONSERVATION, WATER MANAGEMENT, AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS HELPED PRESERVE THE NATURAL BEAUTY, BIODIVERSITY, AND THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF SOUTH FLORIDA. THIS BILL IS ABOUT FAIRNESS AND CONSERVATION. IT ENSURES THE MICCOSUKEE TRIBE HAS THE AUTONOMY TO PROTECT THEIR HOMES, LAND, AND THEIR WAY OF LIFE. I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAUGE FROM FLORIDA, THE REPRESENTATIVE DARREN SOTO FOR CO-SPONSORING THIS MEASURE. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING H.R. 504. THANK YOU, AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

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