Congress passed and the President signed into law H.R. 748, a national stimulus package designed to address the far-reaching impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Over the past several weeks, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), tribal nations, partner organizations, and tribal advocates worked tirelessly to develop Indian Country’s top policy priorities for addressing COVID-19 and push Congress to include these priorities in its stimulus package. The final legislation features strong provisions in support of these priorities and will help tribal communities across Indian Country as they respond to the pandemic.
NCAI extends its deepest gratitude to the members of Congress who fought for the inclusion of Indian Country’s priorities in the final legislation. The passage of this bill represents the first of several necessary steps that the federal government must take to ensure tribal nations, communities, organizations, and citizens have the resources they need to combat and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This legislation is not only a monumental achievement for Indian Country, it is a landmark affirmation of tribal governmental parity and the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations to tribal nations,” said NCAI CEO Kevin J. Allis. “Indian Country achieved this victory through the around-the-clock efforts of tribal leaders and advocates across the nation working as one to ensure that the needs of tribal governments and communities are addressed in the weeks and months to come. Unity is our greatest asset.”
Click here for a summary of the key tribal provisions.