Political Quotes

“At this time, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Minnesota, Ms. Betty McCollum, the chair of the Indian Caucus. {time} 1000 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose this bill. As the Democratic cochair of the Native American Caucus, I am here to promote respect for tribal sovereignty, to fight for the needs of Native American families, and to call our Federal Government to uphold its trust and treaty obligations. Mr. Cole, my Republican cochair, Ranking Member Moran, and Mr. Simpson, the author of this legislation, share those very same goals; but I strongly believe that the bill before us today does not meet the needs of Indian Country; a broader solution is needed. The National Conference of American Indians has asked us to ``reopen government operations for all Federal agencies that meet trust and treaty obligations to tribal nations, and to stop the sequester of 2014.'' And I have heard that same message loud and clear from Minnesota tribal leaders. Mr. Speaker, when we consider Federal funding for tribal nations, we are talking about government-to-government relationships. This means the entire Federal Government needs to be open and functioning. Many services, as has been pointed out, that are vital to Indian Country are not funded within BIA or IHS. The Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Justice, Transportation, and other agencies within HHS or Interior all have Native American accounts.…”