Catherine Cortez Masto

This hearing could not be more relevant for our tribal communities in Nevada.

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. Congratulations to all three of the nominees. I so appreciate your willingness to serve.

We have heard similarly from Senator Murkowski as well.

It is the same thing I hear in my State, in our rural communities and our tribal communities as well.

Congress should really look at this situation, these State laws, and consider excluding tribal colleges and tribal lands from any State laws that prohibit public or government-owned networks.

My biggest concern is to make sure that, at a Federal level, there is cooperation with Federal agencies.

There is really over $42 billion going to States to help this connectivity.

Thank you, a great start to the conversation already.

I also want to thank Vice Chair Senator Murkowski for allowing me to speak today.

Wonderful. That is great to hear. Thank you very much.

Would the Department agree with this assessment from the tribes and would it support the ability to waive this requirement?

I am so glad to hear that.

It is the same thing I hear from the tribes in Nevada as well. That is good news.

This program is life changing for so many Tribal communities.

We must ensure that the resources provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act reach our Native communities.

I do think your background lends itself to prepare to handle issues such as the CCP-backed venture capitalist investors targeting emerging technology firms.

I think they are still a challenge. Quite often what I hear from my tribes is because they lack the resources or the matching dollars, they are just not going to apply for some of these grants.

Senator Schatz' bill, S. 3789, would amend the NATIVE Act to allow BIA to implement grant programs to assist in developing tourism in Native communities.

I do agree this bill is about sovereignty. It is about honoring our trust and treaty obligations to tribal communities.

It is crucial that we support legislation that benefits Native Americans.

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 4:07 p.m., adjourned until Monday, March 21, 2022, at 3:00 p.m…

We need the tools to be able to do it.

Our thoughts are with you and your family and all Ukrainian citizens right now as they fight the cruel and deadly invasion ordered by Putin.

I look forward to the good work that you are going to do on behalf of our tribes.

I couldn't agree more about the need for the coordination amongst the various agencies.