Haley Stevens: “If I may add to the remarks of my colleague from Hawaii, the Alaska Native organizations in my State have been…”

“If I may add to the remarks of my colleague from Hawaii, the Alaska Native organizations in my State have been disproportionately affected by the unilateral actions recently taken by HHS in releasing NEW and TANF funds outside the established Public Law 102-477 process. Alaska Native groups have made important strides in improving and streamlining their employment and related services through the Public Law 102-477 demonstration. These organizations face the suspension of services to thousands of Alaska Native people because of the actions taken by HHS, placing NEW and TANF money outside the standard 477 process. To avoid any further damage to the services to Native people, particularly those most vulnerable who are in the public assistance system, HHS must immediately comply with the requirements in Public Law 102-477 and inform the tribes that these requirements, including the single reporting requirement, will be honored by the Department.”