WASHINGTON — In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently.
Senators Call For Better Training, Full, Consistent Recognition Of Tribal IDs
U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaiʻi), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, are pressing the Trump administration to address reports that immigration enforcement personnel have refused to recognize Tribal IDs and have unnecessarily questioned or detained Tribal citizens.
“It is well-established law that Tribal citizens born within the United States are U.S. citizens, yet many Tribal citizens have met resistance from DHS personnel when attempting to establish their citizenship using their Tribal IDs,” the senators wrote in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. “We urge DHS promptly to adopt formal guidance that recognizes Tribal IDs as acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship.”
The senators also criticized the Department of Homeland Security for failing to consult with Tribes on the issue.
“Despite this obligation, DHS has not engaged in meaningful consultation with Tribes on the use of Tribal IDs as proof of citizenship,” they wrote, urging the agency to work with Tribal governments and incorporate Tribal feedback into its policies and training.
The full text of the letter can be found below and is available here.
SBA Proposal Would End Race-Based Eligibility for 8(a) Program, Leaves Tribal Participation Unchanged
The U.S. Small Business Administration has proposed eliminating race-based eligibility for individuals seeking to participate in its 8(a) Business Development Program, while leaving provisions for tribes, Alaska Native corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations unchanged.
“This proposed rule will dismantle the race-based admissions framework of the past and replace it with one standard for all applicants, rooted in verifiable, fact-based evidence of social disadvantage,” SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said in a statement.
The agency said the change would apply only to individuals and not to “entity-owned participants” such as tribes and Alaska Native corporations.
“Based on the language included in the proposed rule, it would have no direct impact on Alaska Native corporations or their participation in the 8(a) program,” said attorney Christopher Slottee.
Still, Slottee warned the proposal could increase competition for federal contracts. “There could be an economic impact if there is an increase in the number of 8(a) companies and therefore an increase in competition for 8(a) contracts,” he said.
The SBA is accepting public comments on the proposed rule through July 13.
Rep. Sharice Davids Warns New Social Security Report Shows Trust Fund Insolvency by 2032
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS), a tribal citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation, on Thursday pointed to the newly released 2026 Social Security Trustees Report, which projects the Social Security trust fund will become insolvent in 2032, warning that millions of Americans could face automatic benefit cuts if Congress fails to act.
“Social Security is a promise that Americans earn over a lifetime of work, and it’s a promise we have a responsibility to keep,” Davids said. “This new report makes clear that the cost of inaction is simply too high — millions of seniors, people with disabilities, and families could see their savings cut through no fault of their own.”
Davids also criticized proposals that could weaken the program, adding, “We should be protecting and strengthening Social Security, not making it harder for people to access their earned savings or asking them to pay the price while billionaires get another tax break.”
According to the report, if Congress does not act before 2032, beneficiaries could face an automatic reduction of about 20% in payments. Davids said she opposes benefit cuts and supports increasing revenue to preserve the program.
