DEPARTMENT OF STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 132
(Extensions of Remarks - July 27, 2020)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021
______
speech of
HON. DON YOUNG
of alaska
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Mr. YOUNG. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following
exchange of correspondence between myself, House Appropriations
Committee Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee
Chair Betty McCollum, and Ranking Member David Joyce.
Congress of the United States,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, July 23, 2020.
Chair Betty McCollum,
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies,
House Appropriations Committee, Washington, DC.
Ranking Member Dave Joyce,
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies,
House Appropriations Committee, Washington, DC.
Dear Chair McCollum and Ranking Member Joyce: I want to
thank you for your work on the Fiscal Year 2021 Interior,
Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill,
particularly your inclusion of language that transitions the
105(l) Lease Program to an indefinite appropriation for such
sums that are necessary. Funding the 105(l) Lease Program in
this manner will uphold the federal government's trust
responsibility to Alaska Natives and American Indians and
support village clinics in Alaska that rely greatly on the
program.
I write today about a provision in the bill that would
limit the federal compensation for leases under the program
to portions of tribal facilities that are ``necessary for the
operation of the Federal programs under the lease.'' Many
tribal clinics and hospitals in Alaska provide health care
services to non-Natives in addition to Native beneficiaries.
This is a vital service because often the tribal clinic is
the only health care provider in a village, and most villages
are not connected to the road system. By providing service to
non-Natives, these clinics are improving the health outcomes
for Natives both by preventing the spread of COVID-19 and
other illnesses and by affording the clinics a broader
financial base.
I am concerned that the limiting provision could
potentially negatively impact the operation of 105(l) leases
in my state. I also note that there is pending litigation
regarding this topic.
Given our strong working relationship, I respectfully request your
help in addressing this issue in final Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations
legislation.
Sincerely,
Don Young,
Congressman for all Alaska.
____
July 23, 2020.
Hon. Don Young,
Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Young: Thank you for your letter regarding
Tribal leases in Section 433 of the State, Foreign
Operations, Agriculture, Rural Development, Interior,
Environment, Military Construction, and Veterans Affairs
Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 7608). Like you, we remain
steadfast in our commitment to supporting Tribes' right to
enter into facility lease agreements pursuant to section
105(l) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education
Assistance Act, as amended (P.L. 93-638). We appreciate you
bringing this issue to our attention, and we would be happy
to continue discussions with you on this provision as the
bill moves through the process to enactment.
Sincerely,
Betty McCollum,
Chair, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related
Agencies.
David P. Joyce,
Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies.
____________________
