On the recordApril 21, 2016
Federal programs in Indian Country are chronically underfunded. I have served on the Indian Affairs Committee for the past 7 years, and I have been shocked by what I hear almost every week from tribal leaders about the challenges in Indian Country. Tribes struggle with crumbling schools, dilapidated roads, lack of housing, and lack of basic infrastructure. Many of the crises we hear about in Indian Country come from lack of opportunity, lack of hope. Indian youth have the highest rate of suicide among all ethnic groups in the United States. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for Native youth aged 15 to 24. The Indian suicide rate is 62 percent higher than it is for the general population. Unemployment on Indian reservations averages 19 percent, and on some reservations it is above 50 percent. Senators Murkowski, Heitkamp, and Udall understand the dire needs of Indian Country, which is why they have cosponsored my amendment. Chairman Barrasso also understands the needs of Indian Country, and that is why he also supports this amendment. They understand that we have to support economic development for tribes whenever we can. My amendment sets aside $9 million, which can be leveraged into about $50 to $85 million worth of loans for energy projects in Indian Country. Developing tribal energy resources will help tribes bring power to the most remote parts of Indian Country--improving access to reliable and resilient energy and providing much needed jobs.…
