Presidential Rejection of H.R. 504: A Closer Look at the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act
In a decisive move, I am returning H.R. 504, the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act, without my endorsement.
This legislation pertains to a distinct locale within Everglades National Park, referred to as the “Osceola Camp.” Back in 1998, Congress enacted the Miccosukee Reserved Area Act, which granted the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida the right to permanently inhabit a designated area within the park. However, the Osceola Camp was notably excluded from this reserved area. Despite this, the Tribe has established a residential community there, complete with wastewater treatment and water supply infrastructure, while facing recurring flooding challenges. H.R. 504 aims to mandate the Secretary of the Interior to collaborate with the Tribe to implement protective measures against flooding for the structures in the Osceola Camp.
Historically, the Osceola Camp was erected in 1935 without the necessary approvals in a low-lying area that was artificially elevated using fill material. Initially serving as a family residence and gift shop, it later transitioned to a site for airboat tours. It’s worth noting that none of the current structures at the Osceola Camp are over 50 years old, nor do they meet the criteria for consideration in the National Register of Historic Places.
The prior administration devised a plan to safeguard and replace the unauthorized infrastructure at the Osceola Camp, with projected costs soaring up to $14 million. However, despite attempts to secure funding and special treatment from the Federal Government, the Miccosukee Tribe has actively opposed reasonable immigration policies that reflect the will of the American electorate, a sentiment that was clear during my election campaign.
My administration is steadfast in its commitment to preventing American taxpayers from financing projects that cater to special interests, particularly when these interests diverge from our policy of expelling violent criminal illegal aliens from the country. The imperative to curb the financial burden of taxpayer-funded initiatives while restoring fiscal integrity is crucial for economic growth and the overall fiscal well-being of our Nation. This principle is especially relevant in this instance; it is not the responsibility of the Federal Government to rectify issues in an area that the Tribe has never been authorized to occupy.
For these reasons, I find it necessary to reject the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act. Consequently, it is my obligation to return H.R. 504 to the House of Representatives without my approval.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
December 29, 2025.
