Washington, D.C. – Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva has joined the House Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs (IANA), part of the House Natural Resources Committee, following the resignation from the panel of Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.). Boren is retiring at the end of this Congress and stepped down from the subcommittee earlier this week.

Grijalva’s new position means he will have increased voting authority over all House bills dealing with tribal rights and sovereignty issues. Grijalva has so far only been able to vote on bills approved by IANA members for consideration by the full Committee.

Grijalva specifically requested to transfer to IANA. He will leave his position on the Water and Power Subcommittee to balance panel membership, per House rules.

“This is a crucial time for protecting Native American rights, and it’s important to me to have every opportunity to weigh in on behalf of my constituents,” Grijalva said. “I requested this transfer as soon as the position became available, and I’m happy to provide the Native people of Southern Arizona as much direct impact on federal issues as I can.”

For more information about Committee and subcommittee jurisdiction, contact the House Natural Resources Committee at (202) 225-6065 or visit http://democrats.naturalresources.house.gov/.