COVID-19 in Indian Country
The Aleut Community of St. Paul Island is one of six tribal governments suing the Trump administration in order to prevent for-profit corporations from cashing in on an $8 billion coronavirus relief fund.

Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan voiced concerns over the Trump Administration’s apparent move to send a portion of CARES Act relief intended for Tribal governments to for-profit Alaska Native corporations.

The Small Business Administration is doing nothing to help small gaming operators, according to Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada).

Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) is telling the Trump administration that non-governmental entities should not receive a share of an $8 billion coronavirus relief fund intended for tribal nations.

It's been a week since the Trump administration began offering $349 billion in coronavirus relief funds and certain tribal gaming entities remain locked out of critical loans.

Lawmakers continue to call on the Small Business Administration to issue updated guidance to allow small tribal gaming enterprises under 500 employees to apply for assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program.

Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) issued the following statement after Senate Republicans rejected Senate Democrats’ attempt to pass emergency funding to bolster the CARES Act for small businesses, health care providers, state, local, and Tribal governments.

New Mexico Tribes will receive over $674,000 in grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Senator Kyrsten Sinema hosted a call with Tribal leaders from the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona to discuss the impact of the coronavirus outbreak in tribal communities and the need for the federal government to work with Tribes to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

A COVID-19 'Heroes Fund' would give Tribal frontline workers a boost in pay.

Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) is calling on Congress to boost pay for Coronavirus frontline workers in tribal communities.

Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, is pushing Congress to boost pay for coronavirus frontline workers in Indian Country.

The CARES Act is landmark legislation that provides critical relief to Tribal governments impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, released guidance documents for tribal governments to provide information on the $8 billion coronavirus relief fund.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 25, 2020 McSally Secures Billions in Financial Relief for Tribes Amid Coronavirus Pandemic U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) announced today that she successfully secured strong federal assistance for Arizona tribes and native communities across the country –  including $8 billion in emergency funding – as part of the latest coronavirus relief package.   After two […]

“We must ensure Indian Country has equal access to federal coronavirus resources,” Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, said in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor on March 25, 2020. Full remarks below: https://www.facebook.com/senatortomudall/videos/3299209976833212/

  https://www.facebook.com/senatortomudall/videos/3299209976833212/ TODAY: Udall to Speak on Senate Floor to Call for Passage of New Relief for New Mexico, Tribes in Third Coronavirus Package  Udall joined Senate Democrats to fight for improvements to bipartisan relief package that gives direct support to workers, small businesses, hospitals, and Native communities WASHINGTON—TODAY, Wednesday, March 25 at approximately 2:30 p.m. […]

For Immediate Release March 25, 2020 Udall Statement on Tribal Provisions in Senate Bipartisan Emergency COVID-19 Relief Package Compromise Agreement   Udall, Senate Democrats secured important improvements to meet the unique COVID-19 related needs of Native communities   Udall renews call for Tribal-specific title in future COVID-19 stimulus packages   WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator Tom Udall […]

https://www.facebook.com/ienearth/photos/p.10156239054925642/10156239054925642/?type=1&theater For Immediate Release March 23, 2020 Seven Congressional Leaders Join 450+ Progressive Organizations to Demand People’s Bailout in Response to Coronavirus Crisis   Dear Colleague letter to Congressional leaders calls for “down payment” on green economy   WASHINGTON D.C — Indigenous Environmental Network is participating in a large coalition that is developing the “Five […]

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), a former Democratic candidate for president, announced that her husband, John, has contracted coronavirus. “I love him & not being able to be by his side is one of the hardest things about this disease,” Klobuchar said in a post on social media. “So many are going through this & much […]