ICYMI: Murkowski Joins Heinrich, Daines Legislation To Extend Deadline For Tribes To Spend CARES Act Funding
The CARES Act extension allows tribal governments to use COVID relief funds until December 2022
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Steve Daines (R-MT) in introducing legislation that extends the coverage of Coronavirus Relief Fund payments allocated under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to tribal governments from December 30, 2020, to December 30, 2022.
The CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, allocated $8 billion for tribal governments under the Coronavirus Relief Fund. However, Indian Country did not receive any funds until May 5, 2020, well after the bill’s statutory deadline. This bill is the Senate companion to bipartisan legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Tom O’Halleran (D-Ariz.) and Paul Cook (R-Calif.).
“Because of delays in the initial coronavirus relief fund payments provided by the CARES Act, many American Indian and Alaska Native communities, many of which have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, did not receive any funds until well after the bill’s statutory deadline. Native Corporations still have not received any payments and may not receive payments until September – an unacceptable outcome for communities in need,” said Senator Murkowski. “If enacted, this legislation will allow the relief funds to be used until December 2022, rather than the original deadline of the end of this year providing additional time for tribes to make use of the funds to respond to the pandemic. It is important that tribal communities have the support they need to address their health, water, sanitation, and infrastructure needs, which have only been exacerbated by this pandemic.”
“Tribal communities ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic received federal resources and relief far too late – pitting them right up against fast approaching spending deadlines,” said Senator Heinrich. “This bipartisan legislation will allow tribal governments extra time to address the planning needs for these critical funds. As we continue to deal with the impacts of COVID-19, I will do everything in my power to fight for the resources that tribal communities need for a strong public health response and responsible timetables that allow tribal governments to build a broad economic recovery.”
“This bipartisan legislation ensures that our most vulnerable populations in Indian Country receive the support they need to combat COVID-19,” said Senator Daines. “By extending the deadline for aid we can ensure every Tribe has the resources they need and the full opportunity to utilize these funds and fight the pandemic.”
The bipartisan legislation has been endorsed by the National Congress of American Indians.
“It is imperative that this bipartisan legislation is passed to guarantee that all tribal nations can fully utilize the funds that Congress made available in the CARES Act,” said Kevin Allis, CEO of the National Congress of American Indians. “As COVID-19 has continued to evolve in Indian Country the needs of tribal nations and their citizens have grown. This bill creates a path forward that allows tribal nations the much needed breathing room to use all funds in response to their on the ground needs.”
BACKGROUND:
- On June 26, the Alaska Congressional Delegation applauded the federal court ruling that Alaska Native Corporations can receive a share of the $8 billion in funding set aside for Tribal governments that Congress appropriated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
- On April 6, Senator Murkowski joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of members of Congress on a letter to President Trump requesting that federal agencies implementing the Tribal provisions of the CARES Act do so in a manner that upholds the federal trust and treaty responsibilities to Indian Tribes, respects Tribal sovereignty and provides for meaningful government-to-government consultation with Indian Tribes.
