Jefferson Keel his annual State of Indian Nations address. President Keel said he plans to ask the federal government to exempt Natives American tribes from the sequestration cuts, scheduled to go into effect March 1, 2013. He also called on the U.S. House to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and for Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform. The address took place at the Newseum in Washington, DC. The event also included remarks from Senate Indian Affairs Committee Chairman Maria Cantwell. President Keel was introduced by Jacqueline Pata, Executive Director, National Congress of American Indians.