Thank you again, Sen Murkowski for introducing this bill that will address this important issue, improve public health and the quality of life for so many tribal communities.

I am the Vice Chair of the Senate Indian Affairs committee, and we have been focused and concerned about the socio-economic conditions of American Indian, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiian children and families.

Unfortunately, the median income of American Indian Alaska Native families is around $48,000. 26 percent of American Indian Alaska Native people make less than $500 a week.

It has to be a long term strategy that we need to consider developing childcare as a career to ensure that we have--we have trained, credible, available, and hopefully affordable childcare providers for our kids.

Thank you again, Sen Murkowski for introducing this bill that will address this important issue, improve public health and the quality of life for so many tribal communities.

I think we recognize that when it comes to families and their ability to go to work, if there is not affordable childcare or if there is no childcare whatsoever, it makes it pretty darn hard.

Do you think that the way things are structured currently that we do have that flexibility, government programs by their very nature are not inherently built to be flexible?

Is it the department's interpretation of S. 2908 that the bill will cover the cost of transporting the bulls, the cows and the calves to the villages that are working to establish these bison herds?

What we are trying to do is, again, reestablish these herds for economic development as a traditional food source and provide food security for Native communities.

Good. And is it also your understanding that the bill would cover the cost of transporting the bison within Alaska from village to village to promote sustainable grazing practices and herd health?

Good. And is it also your understanding that the bill would cover the cost of transporting the bison within Alaska from village to village to promote sustainable grazing practices and herd health?

As it turns out, the 9th of June, just on Sunday, was Congressman Young's birthday, and it is also the day that has been designed in Alaska as Don Young Day.

Is it the department's interpretation of S. 2908 that the bill will cover the cost of transporting the bulls, the cows and the calves to the villages that are working to establish these bison herds?

What we are trying to do is, again, reestablish these herds for economic development as a traditional food source and provide food security for Native communities.

So, three years. I am looking then to Chair Bryan, and to Chairperson Mejia.

Thank you to those who have testified today.

On average, how long does this review take BIA to review an application? What are you looking at?

Another challenge, though, is the need for mobile processing trailers when you have communities that are not connected by road.