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Lawmakers and tribal leaders tell House panel federal economic programs are fragmented, hard to access
Summary
Tribal leaders and Native economic organizations told the House Natural Resources Subcommittee that federal programs meant to spur economic development are fragmented across agencies, favor large projects, and often stall because of staffing shortfalls and unclear guidance, leaving small and rural tribes unable to use funding effectively.
Congressional members and tribal leaders opened a House Natural Resources Subcommittee oversight hearing by portraying a federal system of economic development programs that is large in scope but often inaccessible in practice. The hearing focused on how duplicative applications, inconsistent eligibility standards and prolonged agency timelines prevent many tribes from using federal funding to pursue local priorities.
"Tribes must navigate a fragmented federal system," the chair said in opening remarks, citing duplicative reviews and long approval timelines that burden smaller and rural tribes. Chairwoman Hope Silvis of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes described how her band frequently learns about grant opportunities only…
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