tag: senate
The Trump administration’s highest-ranking Indian Country official is serving double duty with a new appointment at the federal agency overseeing the $43.9 billion tribal gaming industry.
“As I look at the proposed FY27 budget for Indian Affairs programs, I’ve got questions as to whether or not it will meet the well-documented needs across Indian Country,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
The MAGA figure once known as the “QAnon Shaman” said that President Donald Trump’s new Anti-Weaponization Fund is an abuse of power by a would-be “king.”
“I’m proud of the bipartisan progress we made today in advancing these eight bills through committee to the Senate floor,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is getting back to work after a long absence in the nation’s capital.
Testimony: Clayton Fulton of Indian Health Service (May 20, 2026)
Clayton Fulton of the Indian Health Service testifies before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on May 20, 2026. 
William “Billy” Kirkland of the Department of the Interior testifies before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on May 20, 2026.
Tom Cole: Political rhetoric has gotten out of hand (April 27, 2026)
Political violence is never acceptable – and I truly do believe the majority of Americans instinctively reject political violence. 
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know This Week (April 20, 2026) (April 20, 2026)
NAFOA alumni will be taking the stage at the #NAFOA2026 conference in Reno, Nevada. 
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know This Week (April 6, 2026) (April 6, 2026)
Don’t miss the latest in tribal finance and economic development. 
The Trump administration has terminated millions of dollars in grants that were promised to tribal projects.
Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin is quickly following orders as the first Native person in President Donald Trump’s cabinet.
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know This Week (March 23, 2026) (March 23, 2026)
“When Tribal Nations have the policy tools, capital access, and institutional support to develop their economies, their communities thrive — and so does the national economy,” NAFOA Treasurer Amy Minniear told Congress. 
Tom Cole: Shutdown at Department of Homeland Security continues (March 23, 2026)
As the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security continues, more and more Americans are seeing the negative side effects. 
Markwayne Mullin is on his way — just barely — to being the first Native person in the Donald Trump cabinet following a testy confirmation hearing in which tribal issues were only briefly discussed.
Statement: Markwayne Mullin to be Secretary of Homeland Security (March 18, 2026)
“We say in our family: we are all one tribe,” Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma) says in his written statement to become the new leader of the Department of Homeland Security. 
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs holds a nomination hearing for Markwayne Mullin, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, to be Secretary of Homeland Security.
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know This Week (March 16, 2026) (March 16, 2026)
NAFOA Executive Director Cory Blankenship is set to testify at Indian Country appropriations hearing. 
Tom Cole: Americans are feeling the impact of a government shutdown (March 16, 2026)
Senate Democrats must join their Republican colleagues and vote to pass Homeland Security funding. 
Tribal water rights settlements are expensive — and the Trump administration is balking at the cost of fulfilling the U.S. government’s trust and treaty obligations.
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs holds an oversight hearing and legislative hearing on March 11, 2026.
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs holds an oversight hearing and legislative hearing on March 11, 2026.
Testimony: Johnny Lehi Jr. of San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe (March 11, 2026)
Vice President Johnny Lehi Jr. of the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe testifies before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on March 11, 2026. 
Testimony: Lamar Keevama of Hopi Tribe (March 11, 2026)
Chairman Lamar Keevama of the Hopi Tribe testifies before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on March 11, 2026. 
Testimony: Buu Nygren of Navajo Nation (March 11, 2026)
President Buu Nygren of the Navajo Nation testifies before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on March 11, 2026. 
Testimony: Scott Cameron of Department of the Interior (March 11, 2026)
Scott Cameron of Department of the Interior testifies before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on March 11, 2026. 
A 300-page report details Michigan’s role in the genocidal Indian boarding school era. But the state doesn’t want to release it.
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs sets hearing on water rights (March 10, 2026)
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is meeting to focus on tribal water rights, including a bill to settle a long-running dispute in Arizona. 
Voting rights advocates say a bill to overhaul elections could disenfranchise millions of Americans, including Native voters.
Native Republican tapped for Cabinet post in surprise shakeup (March 6, 2026)
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma) is poised to make history as the first Native person in the Donald Trump cabinet following a shake-up in Washington, D.C. 
The 119th Congress is slowly but surely taking action to advance Indian Country’s legislative agenda following a less than stellar start to the session.
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know This Week (March 2, 2026) (March 2, 2026)
The Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act has been reintroduced in the 119th Congress. 
A federal judge ruled that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth cannot demote Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) over comments made about the U.S. military.
Indian Country is coming together to continue the work of the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children and make long-lasting changes for youth and families.
‘We’re here too late’: Indian Country slams changes to education programs (February 10, 2026)
A controversial restructuring of Indian education programs is moving forward at the national level despite widespread opposition from tribes and educators. 
Testimony: Polly Watson of Bristol Bay Native Corporation (February 10, 2026)
Polly Watson of Bristol Bay Native Corporation testifies before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on February 10, 2026. 
Katherine Carlton of Chugach Alaska Corporation and the Native American Contractors Association testifies before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on February 10, 2026.
Testimony: Chuck Hoskin Jr. of Cherokee Nation (February 10, 2026)
Chuck Hoskin Jr. of the Cherokee Nation testifies before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on February 10, 2026.
Testimony: Cariann Ah Loo of Native Hawaiian Organizations Association (February 10, 2026)
Cariann Ah Loo of the Native Hawaiian Organizations Association testifies before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on February 10, 2026. 
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs holds an oversight hearing on February 10, 2026.
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