U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Martha McSally (R-AZ) announced they successfully secured federal assistance for Native American Tribes as part of the latest coronavirus relief package.
“As the coronavirus pandemic impacts millions of Americans across the country, we cannot ignore one of our most vulnerable populations, Native Americans,” Sen. Daines said. “I am glad President Trump, the administration and Senate leadership acted on my request for stronger funding for our tribal communities. I look forward to getting our tribal communities the resources they need during this global pandemic.”
After two previous House-led relief packages were signed into law lacking any tribal-specific provisions, Sens. Daines and McSally engaged with tribal leaders in their respective home states to identify their most immediate needs and then negotiated with Senate leadership and the White House to ensure those needs were included in the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, H.R. 748, which the president signed into law on Friday.
“Arizona’s tribal communities rely heavily on the industries hardest hit by the fallout created by the COVID-19 outbreak, including tourism and hospitality,” Sen. McSally said. “Our tribes are already feeling significant strain. This legislation provides immediate cash relief and strong assistance to tribal communities impacted by this so workers and families can pay their bills.”
Among the provisions the senators fought to successfully include in H.R. 748 were those for guaranteed business loans, certain U.S. Department of Education waivers, unemployment insurance, authorization for the Special Tribal Diabetes program through 2021, and $1.03 billion for the Indian Health Service to support tribal healthcare system response efforts.
“Senator Martha McSally of Arizona and Senator Steve Daines of Montana, both members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, helped secure a significant amount of emergency relief funds for Indian Tribes in the CARES Act, including a historic set aside of $8 billion,” said U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee Chairman John Hoeven (R-ND). “I thank both senators for their leadership and dedication. By working together to pass this important piece of legislation, we are providing critical assistance to millions of American Indians and Alaska Natives across the country.”