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Tribal leaders, lawmakers warn budget cuts, firings at Interior risk tribal programs and projects
Summary
Multiple members raised complaints from tribal governments about Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education staffing cuts, frozen grants, and disrupted contracts. Secretary Burgum said he would meet and pledged consultation but acknowledged the department must review grant freezes and staffing changes.
Several committee members told Secretary Doug Burgum the administration's handling of Indian Affairs and tribal programs has produced "shock and awe" among tribal leaders and threatened ongoing projects.
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) recounted concerns from the 23 sovereign tribes in her state and described tribal leaders as "in crisis" over proposed budget cuts to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), mass firings, frozen grant disbursements and the loss of hundreds of regional staff positions. "What's happening at the department right now is not okay," she said, and asked Burgum to meet with tribal leaders and to reverse cuts in the budget proposal.
Burgum, who said he had worked with tribes in his prior role as governor, pledged to meet and listen, and offered to meet with the bipartisan Native American caucus to discuss tribal concerns. He said the department would review how grants and program funds are being managed and asked for specific information from members to follow up.
Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) and members from both parties raised related issues such as law enforcement capacity in Indian country and the use of litigation funds in tribal budgets. Burgum said the department was working with the Justice Department, FBI and other partners on law enforcement and missing and murdered indigenous persons cases. He also agreed to follow up on the management and use of funds such as Pittman'Robertson and Dingell-Johnson excise-tax dollars, and to dig into state allocations when members raised questions.
Why it matters: The BIA and BIE administer programs and contracts essential to tribal governance, education, roads and public safety. Members said abrupt staffing changes and delayed grants disrupt tribal planning and service delivery.
What comes next: Burgum agreed to further meetings, pledged to review frozen grants and to provide the committee written responses. Members said they would submit follow-up questions and asked for prompt engagement with tribal leaders.
