House committees press Interior on management, safety and funding at Haskell and SIPI

Congressional members from both parties used a June joint hearing of the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development to press Department of the Interior officials about chronic mismanagement, campus safety and funding at the Bureau of Indian Education's (BIE) two federal postsecondary institutions, Haskell Indian Nations University and the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI).

The hearing brought administrators and a Department of the Interior witness — Scott Davis, who is serving in the delegated authority of Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs — before lawmakers to explain actions taken after inspector general and other reports documenting harassment, leadership failures, accreditation concerns and a large deferred-maintenance backlog.

Why it matters: Lawmakers repeatedly framed the problems at the two institutions as both an operational and a treaty-trust issue, saying federal oversight and federal funding are necessary to protect student safety and preserve institutions that serve Native communities. Members warned that proposed budget cuts in the administration's FY 2026 request would intensify already severe maintenance and staffing shortfalls.

Key findings and concerns

- Harassment and accountability: Members cited a May Office of Inspector General summary that the transcript records as finding a BIE employee sexually harassed members of the Haskell women's basketball team and that supervisors failed to report the misconduct. Lawmakers repeatedly pressed the department for immediate action on investigations and for stronger policies to prevent faculty–student sexual relationships; one committee member said the OIG had found in prior investigations that similar complaints were not adequately addressed.

- Deferred maintenance and facilities: Members referenced BIA facility assessments and a 2023 facility condition assessment described in the hearing as finding that 27 of Haskell's 30 buildings were in severe condition and in need of immediate replacement. Committee members said Haskell turned away newly enrolled students at the start of the 2024–25 academic year because of insufficient housing; SIPI leaders have told the department that campus conditions contributed to declining enrollment.

- Accreditation and completion rates: The hearing record shows Haskell's accreditation was changed to "continued accreditation with monitoring" earlier in 2025, and that SIPI's (referred to in the transcript as CIPI) 2023 graduation rate was reported at roughly 9 percent. Lawmakers said anything short of full, unencumbered accreditation for federally run institutions is unacceptable.

- Background checks and governance: Members highlighted testimony and prior hearings that disclosed failures to complete legally required background checks for some Haskell Board of Regents members, including at least three members who reportedly failed checks and one who had a criminal conviction. Several members argued governance changes and tighter vetting are necessary to protect students.

- Staffing and operations: Multiple members described February staff reductions that affected instructors, maintenance workers and other support personnel at BIE-run schools and said those cuts contributed to chaos on campus; some staff subsequently were rehired, members said. Lawmakers asked Davis how the department is restoring staff, protecting students and ensuring continuity of instruction and services.

- Budget proposals: Several Democrats and Republicans told the department that the administration's FY 2026 budget request—discussed during the hearing and described in testimony as proposing deep cuts to BIE programs—would undermine efforts to fix the problems. The transcript records members characterizing the proposed reductions as cuts of about 80 percent to BIE education construction accounts and roughly 90 percent to BIE postsecondary program funding; witnesses and members said such cuts would exacerbate the maintenance and staffing shortfalls.

Department of the Interior response

Scott Davis, serving in the delegated authority of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, said he shares concern about the reports and is personally invested in improving Haskell and other tribal institutions: "BIA remains focused on ensuring access to high quality, culturally relevant education that reflects the diverse needs and priorities of Indian students and tribal communities," Davis said in his opening statement. He described plans to work with tribal leaders, school boards and Congress on governance, funding options and operational fixes and said the department is implementing or updating policies on background checks, harassment and oversight.

Davis also outlined approaches the department is exploring to expand funding sources beyond federal appropriations, including foundations, state partnerships and other mechanisms to reduce dependence on a single federal funding stream. He repeatedly characterized the situation as a "reset" opportunity and said he would "micromanage" parts of the response as necessary.

Requests, proposals and next steps

Members from both parties urged concrete steps. Representative Tracey Mann (R–KS), whose district includes Haskell, said he and Senator Jerry Moran are developing legislation that would transfer governance from the BIE to a Haskell board of trustees chartered in statute and continue federal support under a different governance model. Several other members asked the department to provide written updates and to commit to working with Congress on oversight and funding solutions. The committee left the hearing record open for written questions.

What the hearing did not decide

There were no recorded committee votes at the hearing. Members discussed potential legislation and next steps but did not adopt or pass any measures during the session. Many members warned that continued underfunding would thwart any administrative reforms; others urged greater tribal input in governance decisions.

Ending

Members said the hearing was intended to press the department for immediate corrective action while exploring longer-term legislative solutions. Lawmakers from both parties emphasized tribal sovereignty and treaty obligations as a through-line to justify congressional attention and funding decisions affecting Haskell and SIPI.