Congratulations on not waiting around for us to solve your problems.

I am pretty stunned at the differential between how we fund the U.S. Forestry Service and how you are funded.

It does amaze me when the BIA loses a legal case. That ought to kind of tell them, you know, why do we want to come back down this road again?

Once we were able to take over those services ourselves and contract for ourselves... healthcare got a whole lot better.

Would the gentleman yield for just a question on point?

all states may be equal but all tribes are not, and we have dispensed recognition in many cases and stripped tribes of the ability to pursue their own economic interests.

I look forward to working with you on it, and as you know, it is a great program. We need to restore it.

We cannot solve these problems in a single year.

I am certainly doing everything on my end to help.

If the United States Government had its way, I would not be chief, and there would not be a Cherokee Nation.

I just wanted to thank you for two things. First in your testimony, I really appreciate the fact you mentioned the roles of President Nixon, Ford, and Reagan played in reestablishing self-determination.

I would just like to echo the point that Mr. Simpson said.

The whole idea behind sub-awards and subcontracts was for everyday citizens could actually see what is going on.

I would like to see as much emphasis in fixing the Transparency and Accountability Act as the Administration plans to put on these other wonderful areas of transparency...

But part of not complying with the law is explaining to us why you are not complying with the law.

I applaud President Obama for wanting to make more steps towards transparency, but I would caution him...

Madam President, I rise to bring attention to the crucial role of health care professionals in providing quality health care across our Nation. Other than being a father, grandfather, and husband nothing has been more personally satisfying…

I do not doubt that, but what you just told me is you choose to do this rather than follow the law.