PAWHUSKA VILLAGE, Okla. – Jodie Revard hosted a noon meal here where she discussed her Osage Nation government experience and interest in seeking a second Congressional term in the 2024 General Election.
On March 30, Revard hosted her meal and spoke to a crowd of more than 60 people from all age groups. A long-time government employee across several tribal departments before serving on the 31st Osage Tribal Council and the Congress starting in 2020, Revard shared brief work memories with many former coworkers in attendance during her opening remarks.
In discussing her initial four-year term as a Congress member, Revard shared a presentation of her “Congressional report card” with data that includes serving a prior year as Second Congressional Speaker as elected by fellow Congress members and serving as chair of the Congressional Appropriations Committee and the Commerce, Gaming and Land Committee.
“As the Second Speaker, I had to chair Congressional Affairs (Committee). I’m also a member of Government Operations (Committee) right now, I’ve been a member of the Cultural Committee. I’ve literally participated in 268 committee meetings and as the Appropriations chair, I’ve at least had to file 75% of the appropriation (budget) bills and the reason why is in our Congressional rules, the chair or vice chair of appropriations may sponsor the appropriation bills,” she said.
According to her research, Revard said she’s sponsored 133 bills and resolutions to date during her Congressional term and of those 129 have been enacted. “I’ve withdrawn two of those bills and one died in committee and my track record reflects 97% of my bills become law,” she said.
Revard added “not one bill or resolution that I filed could have been enacted without the support of my (11) colleagues and the signature of the Chief. Because although my vote is singular, my work is intentionally collaborated and I work with all of my colleagues. I work with the Chief’s office, I work with the Treasury, I work with the Minerals (Council), I work with the Judicial (branch) because it takes all of us to move this government. I can never say ‘look what I’ve done’ because there’s no such thing, I’m part of a body, the Legislative Branch, and I’m only single in my vote.”
Revard said highlights of her first Congressional term includes sponsoring the appropriation bill for a new Primary Residential Treatment facility and “the reason I wanted to sponsor that with my colleagues is that we can see the need for behavioral health and the need for our folks who have a place to go to heal if they need to.” If reelected, Revard said she will continue to support the Nation’s strategic plan and helping to complete it. “I want to continue to prioritize spending, continue to rebuild communication within our government and outside, I want to strengthen our internal controls to minimize risk … I love this government, when I say it’s special to me, I mean that with my everything,” she said.
