Seneca Nation President J.C. Seneca Statement on OMB Proposed Budget Cuts
Even though White House rescinded cuts, Nation is on alert
CATTARAUGUS TERRITORY, Irving, NY, January 29, 2025 – Seneca Nation of Indians President J.C. Seneca today issued a statement about proposed White House cuts in major federal aid programs.
“Nation officials and I closely followed the Trump Administration’s efforts since Monday to suspend certain federal grant funding,” President Seneca said. “We learned that no specific individual Seneca or tribal government funds were targeted. Our Treasurer, Al George, and his fiscal team actively monitored the impact on Nation funds, as did the Nation’s Foreign Relations Committee.”
At midday today, White House officials indicated that the proposed cuts were being withdrawn. Nonetheless, President Seneca said, the Nation must remain on alert. This happened because the U.S. Office of Management and Budget [OMB] was attempting to implement President Trump’s Executive Orders targeting certain programs that the Biden Administration authorized.
Even before the decision to reverse course came down, the OMB thankfully clarified that no individual benefits were being frozen, such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid or Food Stamps.
“I spoke personally with our congressman, Nick Langworthy, about this issue,” President Seneca said. “The congressman indicated that he would contact the U.S. Interior Department directly to make sure that Seneca Nation funds are not being targeted. He got back to us quickly and we are appreciative of his efforts.”
On a related issue, President Seneca said he also expressed to the congressman his concern about enhanced border enforcement and how it may affect Native people. Langworthy indicated he did not believe that there should be any impact, but that he would convey the Nation’s concern to the Department of Homeland Security.
President Seneca advised all Senecas crossing the border to carry two forms of identification to help ensure smooth passage.
If any Seneca receives notice from a federal agency of funds being frozen, the president said, they should contact the president’s office at b.johnson@sni.org.