The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs wrote a letter to the Housing and Urban Development last week, criticizing the Bush administration's decision to withhold about $300 million from tribes.

Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), the committee chairman, and Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the vice chairman, said they "vigorously oppose" the funding freeze. They said it would have negative effects on efforts to relieve overcrowding and homelessness in Indian Country.

HUD imposed the freeze in response to a court decision involving a Montana tribal housing authority. Officials say the entire $600 million-plus Indian block grant program has to be put on hold pending resolution of the case.

"We urge you to continue funding the FY 2006 IHBG awards while exploring other approaches to address the district court's decision," McCain and Dorgan told HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson.

The judge in the case invalidated a HUD regulation as unfair to tribes.

SCIA Letter:
HUD Indian Housing Freeze (June 28, 2006)

Relevant Documents:
Cabrera Letter Suspending Funds | Court Decision in Ft. Peck Case

Hearing Info:
OVERSIGHT HEARING on Native American Housing Programs (Wednesday, June 28, 2006)

Relevant Links:
Fort Peck Tribes - http://www.fortpecktribes.org
Office of Public and Indian Housing, HUD - http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih
National American Indian Housing Council - http://naihc.net
Senate Indian Affairs Committee - http://indian.senate.gov

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