Your commitment to caring for our nation's veterans and your leadership on this Subcommittee is greatly appreciated by me and the veterans of South Dakota.

I applaud the development of a chamber of commerce at Pine Ridge.

I think that is a wonderful new development, of people banding together to promote entrepreneurship and business development.

Only once has this been seen by the tribes throughout the past 5 years on housing issues.

It is my hope that we can address some of the issues, like the lack of an emergency fund...

It remains clear that Congress needs to further clarify the consultation process that is pivotal to the government-to-government relationship...

I am pleased to be here today to receive testimony on the reauthorization of the Indian housing block grant.

I will tell you now that the Administration must consult with tribes as part of its Federal obligation to them.

Tribes should be afforded a thorough and meaningful consultation process when the Federal Government attempts to change the regulations.

It remains clear that Congress needs to further clarify the consultation process that is pivotal to the government-to-government relationship.