Native American Legislative Update

Senate Probes Impact of HHS Cuts on Non-Indian Health Service Programs

On May 14, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs heard testimony from tribal leaders and advocates on potential harm from the reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The proposed reorganization would slash funding at HHS and lay off 20% of its workforce.

National Endowment for the Humanities Cuts Grants to Investigate Indian Boarding Schools

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has rescinded approximately $1.5 million in grants for digitizing records and collecting testimonies related to U.S. government-run Indian boarding schools. These institutions, operating from approximately 1819 to 1969, aimed to assimilate Native American children by eradicating their cultural identities.

Congress Funds the Federal Government through September

The House of Representatives and the Senate passed recently passed a continuing resolution to extend current federal government funding levels until Sept. 30. Here are two ways that it will impact Native communities:

Last night, a bill was reintroduced in the 119th Congress to appoint a commission to investigate the Indian Boarding School era and the role of the federal government. Learn more.

FCNL is aware of reports that Native Americans have been subject to or targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in immigration raids. We remain committed to a just and safe immigration process. If you are concerned about your risk, please reach out to your tribal leadership.

Halito F/friends,

A month after he became the first U.S. president to apologize to Native people for the horrors of the federal Indian boarding school system, President Joe Biden designated a new National Monument on the site of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. Learn more about the significance of this announcement and the next steps that Congress must take.

Halito F/friends.

Happy Native American Heritage Month (NAHM)! While FCNL works year-round in solidarity with Native people across the country, this is a time of year when the necessity of our work is especially clear. We are reflecting on FCNL’s longstanding commitment to right relationship with Native people and look forward to continuing that commitment.

The November election is almost here! This election will bring new members of Congress to the Hill, along with a new administration in the White House in January 2025.

The period after the election and before the new Congress takes their seats is often referred to as the lame duck period. It is difficult to discern which legislation may make it out of the flurry of activity that follows elections. This month, we are highlighting bills and actions that impact Native communities and may move in the lame duck:

Today, September 30, is Orange Shirt Day, Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On this day, Native communities and allies honor and remember the survivors of Indian Boarding Schools, as well as the children who never returned home. Native communities in Canada have recognized this date as a day of recognition since 2013, and in 2021 Canada formally recognized it as a holiday.

In a bipartisan vote on June 13, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act (H.R. 7227) passed the House Education and Workforce Committee 34 to 4. This is a major win for Native American communities, survivors, and their descendants, who were terrorized by these policies for decades. The bill now needs to be approved by two other committees for a floor vote.