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Senators warn proposed cuts to BIA and BIE threaten tribal law enforcement, schools and trust responsibilities
Summary
Multiple senators urged Interior to preserve funding for Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement, Bureau of Indian Education construction and core tribal programs, citing treaty and trust responsibilities, high local crime rates and deferred maintenance in tribal schools.
Senators from both parties told Interior Secretary Doug Burgum they are alarmed by the proposed reductions to Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) programs, Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) construction, and other core tribal programs in the President’s FY2026 budget blueprint.
Sen. Jeff Merkley framed the proposed reductions as a breach of trust: “Cutting nearly $1,000,000,000 from Indian Affairs would hurt the federal government's ability to meet its trust responsibility to native people.” He…
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