PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act

Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Official summary

Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Nov 29, 2017

Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to revise a grant program administered by the Administration for Native Americans at the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages. The minimum number of enrollees in educational programs funded by grants is reduced from 10 to 5 enrollees in Native American language nests and from 15 to 10 enrollees in the Native American language survival schools. The bill increases the maximum duration of grants.

(Sec. 3) The program is reauthorized through FY2023.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM] · D–NM

Committees

  • Education and Workforce Committee
  • Indian Affairs Committee
7 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

  2. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  3. Received in the House.

  4. Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7490)

  5. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S7490)

  6. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7490)

  7. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 30.

  8. Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven without amendment. With written report No. 115-23.

  9. Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven without amendment. With written report No. 115-23.

  10. Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported favorably.

  11. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

  12. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Dec 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.254 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.254 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.254 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.254 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources