Two Bush administration officials are scheduled to testify at hearings before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee today.

Bureau of Indian Affairs head Dave Anderson is on the witness list for S.519, the Native American Capital Formation and Economic Development Act of 2003. The bill would create a national entity to promote capital development and economic growth within Indian Country.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson is the sole witness for the oversight hearing on pending legislation to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Thompson was previously criticized by Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado), the committee chair, for skipping out on an earlier health care hearing.

The hearings today will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively. For more information, including a link for the live broadcast, visit http://indian.senate.gov

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