Despite their temporary status, Tahsuda, who is a citizen of the Kiowa Tribe, and Weahkee, who is a citizen of the Pueblo of Zuni, are considered capable and effective stewards within Indian policy circles. Both have decades of experience, in and outside of federal and tribal governments. Tara Sweeney, whom Trump nominated as Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, also boasts a long history. She is well known for her advocacy of Alaska Native issues, having served on the board of the Alaska Federation of Natives, the largest tribal organization in Alaska, for more than a decade. But her status as a shareholder and executive for Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, an Alaska Native corporation, has tripped up her nomination. She cannot easily distance herself from an entity Congress itself set up through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. "To say that you can't be a Native Alaskan to represent Native Alaskans is unconscionable," Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, who would be Sweeney's boss, National Congress of American Indians during its winter session in Washington, D.C., last month. "It's like saying the only people that can't represent the [tribal] nations are the nations. That's exactly opposite." Trump has yet to announce a new director for the IHS. His first pick, Robert Weaver, who is a citizen of the Quapaw Tribe, was forced to withdraw from the process after news reports highlighted discrepancies in his work in the health fields. “Regardless of what the press reports may say, I was forced out,” Weaver said in a letter after the White House abandoned him last month. “I was involuntarily withdrawn.” Against the backdrop, the BIA is facing a budget cut of $453 million. Though lawmakers from both parties have said they won't accept major reductions, that request represents a whopping 15.2 percent decrease from current levels. The IHS is seeing more of a brighter future. The Trump administration is seeking an increase of $413 million, though some of that is accounted by a shift in the way the $150 million Special Diabetes Program for Indians is treated within the budget. The hearing before the House Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs takes place at 10:30am Eastern and will be webcast. The full witness list follows:
Mr. Doug DomenechHouse Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs Notice:
Assistant Secretary – Insular Affairs
U.S. Department of the Interior
Washington, DC Acting Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs
U.S. Department of the Interior
Washington, DC Acting Director – Indian Health Service
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Washington, DC
Oversight Hearing, “Policy Priorities for the Administration’s FY 2019 Budget for Indian Affairs and Insular Areas" (March 20, 2018)
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