Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I wish to describe the damaging impacts that the Federal Government shutdown is having on the nine treaty tribes in my home State of South Dakota and across Indian Country. It is my hope that today we can come to solution to this crisis, but I think it is important for my colleagues to understand the impact the shutdown has had so that we can avoid making the same mistakes in the future. Across the Nation, the Federal Government shutdown is imposing numerous hardships for our citizens, tribal nations, and low-income individuals. Some of the poorest counties in the United States are located within South Dakota reservation borders. Federal assistance payments to the poorest of the poor have been halted for these tribal members needing aid to feed their families and heat their homes. Any negative changes to Native American program funding will have widespread effects. As the House Republicans continue to prevent the Federal Government from opening, doors will continue to be shut for those needing the most help. Last week, I met with President Bryan Brewer of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Federal and tribal employees living on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where the general unemployment rate is already at 80 percent, are being furloughed or have had their work hours cut in half. This funding lapse almost forced the tribe's Department of Corrections to close, allowing prisoners to be freed.…”