Sweeney pointed out that schools within the BIE already receive funding ahead of time. But Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minnesota), the chair of the House subcommittee, asked whether such appropriations cover activities such as construction of new facilities. The short answer was no. "If it's an emergency, absolutely," said Tony Dearman, the director of the BIE. "If it's not, I would have to find out and get back to you." According to supporters, funding the BIA and the BIE ahead of time would help the agencies, as well as tribes, plan better for their communities. It would also protect Indian Country from government shutdowns, such as the record-breaking one this year that crippled operations across the nation. "Whenever there are shutdowns, tribes must institute hiring freezes for key medical staff, teachers, law enforcement officers, and social welfare professionals," Aaron Payment, the chairperson of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, told the subcommittee last month. "Tribal governments are also forced to lay off employees, put essential infrastructure improvement and economic development projects on hold, and curtail services that are essential for the health and welfare of their citizens." Several bills in Congress would provide advance appropriations to the BIA, the BIE and the Indian Health Service. Most have the support of Democrats and Republicans: • H.R.195, the Pay our Doctors Act. • H.R.1128, the Indian Programs Advanced Appropriations Act. • H.R.1135, the Indian Health Service Advance Appropriations Act of 2019. • S.229, the Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act. Tuesday's hearing lasted about 90 minutes. Audio can be found on the Indianz.Com SoundCloud.Happening Now: @ASIndianAffairs Sweeney, Acting Deputy Bureau Dir. for BIA - Trust Services Blackhair, & @BureauIndianEdu Dearman deliver testimony to the House Appropriations Subcom. on Interior, Environment, & Related Agencies.
— Indian Affairs (@USIndianAffairs) April 30, 2019
Watch at https://t.co/7Xw9IqbHpD.#IndianAffairs pic.twitter.com/O198n6GfjA
House Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies Notice
Bureau
of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education (April 30, 2019)
Welcome back, students! @USIndianAffairs and @BureauIndianEdu are proud to announce the reopening of the Santa Rosa Ranch School in Sells, Arizona pic.twitter.com/Tfun7YLpK9
— US Department of the Interior (@Interior) April 10, 2019
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