Led by Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), a group of Democratic lawmakers called for the passage of bills to address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women.

In speeches on the U.S. Senate floor on May 7, 2019, the lawmakers spoke about the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. The day, observed on May 5, falls on the birthday of Hanna Harris, a young citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe who went missing and was murdered in Montana in 2013.

"It's critical that we understand the magnitude of violence that Native women face," said Udall, who serves as vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

During his remarks, Udall displayed a portrait of Harris, who was only 21 years old when she was murdered. She left behind a son who was only 10 months old at the time.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington), Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) and Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana) also spoke of the need to take action to address the #MMIW crisis and to strengthen tribal jurisdiction over crimes that occur on their homelands.

"It's a crisis we need to address now," said Smith, who also serves on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

Courtesy photo of Hanna Harris.