Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona) serves as chair of the House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States. Photo: House Committee on Natural Resources Democrats
For Immediate Release: April 27, 2020
Rep. Gallego Statement on Coronavirus Relief Money for Tribal Governments
Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement in response to news that a federal judge temporarily stopped the Treasury Department from issuing relief funds intended for Tribal governments to Alaska Native Corporations:
“The Coronavirus Relief Fund we passed in the CARES Act is meant to ensure Tribal and Alaska Native governments have the resources they need to continue government services and save the lives of those in their community. It was not meant to be diverted to multi-billion-dollar Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) that have connections to this administration.
“Today’s decision is a positive step towards making sure the governmental relief funds we passed in the CARES Act go to those who need it most: Tribal and Alaska Native governments. This injunction temporarily prevents the Treasury department from releasing these relief funds to ANCs until a final decision is rendered, but does not prevent these resources from beginning to go out to federally recognized Tribes now.
“I call on Secretary Mnuchin to immediately begin disseminating these funds to eligible federally recognized Tribal and Alaska Native governments. Lives are on the line and Indian Country cannot afford delay.”