Nation-supported legislation will close jurisdictional loopholes, strengthen public safety on Nation lands
January 16, 2026
CATTARAUGUS TERRITORY, IRVING, N.Y. – The Seneca Nation announced that key federal law enforcement legislation proposed and actively supported by Nation leaders has been officially introduced by Congressman Nick Langworthy.
The Seneca Nation Law Enforcement Efficiency Act is designed to address long-standing jurisdictional confusion that has compromised law enforcement activities on Nation lands. In particular, the legislation will nullify an outdated, ineffective decades-old law, passed by Congress in 1948, giving New York State criminal jurisdiction on Seneca lands.
“During the Indian Termination Era 80 years ago, Congress gave New York State criminal jurisdiction to prosecute and incarcerate the Seneca people. The Termination Era is over, but this law remains on the books,” said Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca. “We are thankful to Congressman Langworthy for introducing this legislation and working with us to improve the Seneca Nation’s public safety priorities. Our goal with this legislation is to restore the federal government’s treaty responsibility to work with the Seneca Nation to provide law enforcement services. Through cooperative law enforcement agreements, we can maximize our working relationship with outside governments to address the drug trafficking on our lands and other threats to the Seneca people, and create a pathway for the development of our own Seneca Nation law enforcement capabilities.”
“This outdated jurisdictional framework has created real-world public safety problems,” said Congressman Langworthy. “Our men and women in law enforcement are doing the best they can under challenging circumstances, but when authority is fragmented and accountability is unclear, resourceful criminals exploit the gaps and that’s exactly what we’ve seen happen. This legislation provides a targeted solution that respects tribal sovereignty, preserves federal oversight, and ensures that any change occurs only with mutual agreement. Most importantly, it will make our communities safer, and that is a goal we all share.”
The Seneca Nation Law Enforcement Efficiency Act removes New York State’s automatic criminal and civil jurisdiction over Seneca Nation lands established under the 1948 law, but only if both the Seneca Nation and the U.S. Attorney General agree in writing to such a change. The legislation does not mandate any immediate action; instead, it creates a clear legal mechanism to resolve jurisdictional confusion when all parties determine it is appropriate. By clarifying jurisdiction and enabling a more coordinated law enforcement framework, the legislation strengthens accountability, improves cooperation among authorities, and reduces opportunities for drug trafficking and other criminal activity to flourish due to legal uncertainty.
This is the second major piece of law enforcement legislation pursued by the Nation since President Seneca was elected in November 2024. Last month, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a bill which Nation leaders presented and advocated for throughout 2025 amending Section 8 and adding a new Section 79 of New York Indian Law. The new law clarifies existing law, enabling the Seneca Nation to better work in coordinated partnership with New York State Police, County Sheriffs and City of Salamanca police in removing non-Native intruders engaged in drug trafficking and other illicit activities from the Seneca Nation’s sovereign territories. “Public safety has been a priority issue of ours from the day I was sworn in,” President Seneca said. “The Seneca Nation is going to advocate for Congress to support Congressman Langworthy’s legislation and pass the Seneca Nation Law Enforcement Efficiency Act. This bill, like the new state legislation we recently secured, provides the Seneca Nation another long-needed tool for improving law enforcement on our lands. We will continue to take every possible measure to protect our people and our territories.”
