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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ADVOCATING FOR CRITICAL FUNDING FOR TRIBAL NATIONS IN THE HEROES ACT
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HON. RAUL RUIZ
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Mr. RUIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Heroes Act
and to address the critical need for emergency funding for tribal
nations.
Native Americans have been hit disproportionately hard by the COVID-
19 pandemic. The Navajo Nation has experienced nearly 5,000 positive
cases and the loss of more than 100 lives. In addition, the Colorado
River Indians Tribes on the border of my district and Arizona have seen
a sudden rise in cases over the past weeks.
Native Americans remain at particular risk because they face greater
health disparities and have higher rates of underlying health
conditions than the general population. In addition, those living on
rural reservations have reduced access to health services and
preventative care.
The toll on tribal nations isn't just affecting those who are sick.
Many Native Americans work in service jobs that have disproportionately
been lost, and many tribal governments rely on income from business
enterprises that have closed their doors to comply with stay-at-home
orders.
The Heroes Act was written with these communities in mind.
This bill represents the House of Representatives' commitment to
fulfilling the trust and treaty responsibility of the United States
government to tribal nations across the United States.
The Heroes Act provides an additional $20 billion to tribal
governments in the form of grants to help address the catastrophic
impact of this virus and the economic toll it has taken on Indian
Country and their surrounding communities.
The Heroes Act expands the use of the funds provided by the CARES Act
to account for lost revenue, which is critical to providing effective
relief for tribal governments.
It is important to note that unlike the portion of the Coronavirus
Relief Fund provided to states and local governments, the fund for
tribal governments explicitly does not prescribe a population-based
formula for distribution to tribes. Such a formula would be
inappropriate given that population is not a proper measure of economic
impact that a tribal government and tribally-run businesses have
experienced.
This bill also does not codify the current Indian Housing Block Grant
formula that the Department of Treasury is using, because such a
formula is not representative of the intent of the program.
It is the intent of Congress that the Department of Treasury works
with the Department of Interior and tribal governments to develop a new
formula that accounts for the tribes' aggregate expenditures and the
total economic hit they have taken as a result of this pandemic.
This is an issue that is critical for Indian Country. I am proud to
have voted for the Heroes Act and look forward to seeing the program
implemented as Congress intended to support tribal governments.
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