Melanie Stansbury: “As you know, there are hundreds of sovereign Tribal nations across the United States. Since this great Nation's…”

“As you know, there are hundreds of sovereign Tribal nations across the United States. Since this great Nation's founding, the United States has signed hundreds of treaties with Tribal nations and passed hundreds of laws reaffirming Tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and U.S. commitments to indigenous communities. However, over the last month, we have seen and heard from Tribes all over the country whose Federal funds have been frozen and their programs impacted by mass firings, including at Indian Health Service, BIA and BIE, including in my district at SIPI and at Haskell's College where faculty and students have been devastated by mass firings. That is why yesterday myself, the New Mexico delegation, and 111 Members of Congress sent a letter to the administration calling on them to halt and reverse these harmful cuts to Tribal programs. These programs are vital to Indian Country and part of the United States' solemn Tribal trust and treaty responsibilities. Our sovereign Tribal nations depend on these programs, and we must protect them. ____________________”