SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- The U.S. Senate has passed a bill designed to combat crime in Indian Country.
The Tribal Law and Order Act provides for the appointment of special U.S. attorneys to ensure violent crimes on reservations are prosecuted, improves training for reservation police, expands the sentencing authority of tribal courts and improves the collection and reporting of Indian crime data.
It's co-sponsored by Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota.
Thune says that many tribal communities lack basic public safety resources, and there are many negative consequences.
