Cherokee delegate could be seated in the House of Representatives

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Saturday November 12, 2022 · 11:54 PM PST

2022/11/12 · 23:54

President Barack Obama talks with Kim Teehee, Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs, in the Oval Office, April 26, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) -- Kimberly Teehee https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimberly_Teehee (born October 13, 1968) is a Native American (Cherokee Nation) attorney, politician, and activist on Native American issues. She is a Delegate-designate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the Cherokee Nation. She served as senior policy advisor for Native American affairs in the administration of President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2012.[1] In February of 2020, she was named by Time as one of 16 activists fighting for a "More Equal America."[2] — Kimberly Teehee in the Oval Office with President Barack Obama in 2012

It’s a treaty obligation almost 200 years unfulfilled, but that could be changing.

The House Rules Committee is set to hold a hearing next week about seating a delegate from the Cherokee Nation.

The 1835 Treaty of New Echota clearly states that the Cherokee Nation is entitled to a delegate in the US House.

This is nearly 200 years overdue. pic.twitter.com/q1LLxbre3N
— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) November 12, 2022

It’s a non-voting position, but could still have impact. From WaPo last month:

There’s a new delegate in town: Kimberly Teehee, a former Obama White House Native American adviser, who was nominated by the Cherokee Nation in 2019 to become the House’s seventh nonvoting member. If the House agrees to seat the delegate, the move would expand the size of the House of Representatives and fulfill a nearly 200-year-old treaty obligation with the Cherokee Nation.

Even though she won’t be able to vote, it’s not just symbolic.

Yet political science research shows that far from being symbolic members, delegates can make a difference in Congress. For example, they can be effective legislators, sponsoring and co-sponsoring bills to advance their agenda. They field staff, serve on committees, work within their party, and collaborate with other delegates.

Depending on party control, delegates vote in some procedural contexts on the House floor, although their vote doesn’t count if decisive. My own research has shown how delegates use tools like committee hearings, franking privileges (the ability to send mail for free), and member organizations to pursue strategic goals, lobby voting members, and serve as the sole elected voice for their constituents in the federal government — making a difference even without a vote.

Ms. Teehee has a law degree, and is a Democrat.

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Cherokee delegate could be seated in the House of Representatives

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