PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 115-404.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Dec 31, 2018
Johnson-O'Malley Supplemental Indian Education Program Modernization Act
This bill requires the Department of the Interior to annually update the number of Indian students eligible for the Johnson-O'Malley Program (JOM Program). The JOM Program awards contracts to tribal organizations, schools, states, and others to educate Indian students. Under the program, the contract amounts are based on the number of students served.
Under the bill, contracting parties must annually report to Interior on the number of students they serve and how the amounts for which contract funds were used. If they fail to submit the report, Interior shall not give them program funds for the fiscal year following the academic year for which the report should have been submitted.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
This bill allows Interior to make recommendations for legislation to increase funds per eligible student and to identify additional sources of funding that do not reallocate existing funds utilized by Indian students. The bill allocates appropriations for any fiscal year for which the appropriated amount exceeds the previous fiscal year appropriation.
Interior must confer with Indian tribes, state and local education agencies, and Alaska Native organizations that have not participated in the program to determine their interest in the JOM Program.
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to review the implementation of this bill.
People & committees
Sen. Heitkamp, Heidi [D-ND] · D–ND
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 115-404.
Became Public Law No: 115-404.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 943 by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S7887-7888)
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 943 by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S7887-7888)
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H10039-10040)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H10039-10040)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 943.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10039-10041)
Mr. Estes (KS) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (text: CR S1974-1975)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(text: CR S1974-1975)
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S1972-1975)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 295.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-201.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-201.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-76.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
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.
Analyze S.943 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.
Examine S.943 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.
Examine S.943 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.
Examine S.943 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.