Tom Udall: “Mr. Speaker, the bill we are bringing up this evening is vastly different from the bill we reported from the Committee…”

“Mr. Speaker, the bill we are bringing up this evening is vastly different from the bill we reported from the Committee on Resources a few weeks back. The funding problems that Indian tribes face when assuming responsibility for Federal programs is serious and complex. Congress has time and again reiterated its support for Indian tribes to take over and run Federal programs that have previously been run by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service. We have found that tribes are able to run these programs more innovatively and often provide better services to their tribal members. Unfortunately, not all start-up and costs are covered in these funds provided tribes for these programs. This bill was introduced and designed to address those shortfalls. But in its current form, I am not sure that it meets the honorable goal of its author, the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young). The administration has informed us they oppose the bill. And while I would like to pass contract support cost assistance, I will ask for a de novo vote so we will have an additional day to work on this bill.”