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.
Davids, Feenstra Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Tribal Input in Federal Food Programs
U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids (D-Kan.) and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) on Thursday introduced the Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act, bipartisan legislation designed to ensure Tribal Nations have a voice in federal food assistance decisions that affect their communities.
The bill follows widespread disruptions in 2024 after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shifted food distribution for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) to a single national contractor. Tribal leaders had warned the move could create supply-chain problems, and many communities later experienced delayed shipments, canceled deliveries, inventory shortages, expired food products, and empty shelves.
The legislation would require USDA to include Tribal representatives in reviewing and awarding FDPIR contracts, establish emergency contractors within 45 days of supply-chain disruptions, allow direct payments to tribes to purchase food during FDPIR interruptions, encourage states to consult tribes before amending Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) plans, and provide technical assistance to support implementation.
Davids said last year’s food delivery failures demonstrated the need for Tribal Nations to have a seat at the table when decisions are made about programs their communities rely on. Feenstra said the bill would help ensure federal shortcomings do not leave Tribal communities without access to critical food assistance.
The Senate companion measure is led by Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.).
Heinrich, Lummis Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Teacher Pay at BIE Schools
U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) have introduced the Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at improving teacher pay at Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools.
The bill would direct the U.S. Department of the Interior to study the Indian School Equalization Program (ISEP) funding formula and report to Congress on changes needed to ensure educators and staff at BIE schools receive compensation comparable to teachers in non-federally funded schools.
Supporters say years of underfunding have left many BIE schools, particularly those in rural communities, unable to offer competitive salaries. As a result, BIE schools often struggle to recruit and retain qualified educators, with teacher pay lagging behind the national average salary of $71,985.
Heinrich said competitive educator pay is essential to providing students with a high-quality education and called the legislation a first step toward addressing longstanding disparities. Lummis said the measure would help determine what is needed to achieve compensation parity and strengthen educational opportunities for Native students.
The House companion bill is being led by Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.).
The legislation has been endorsed by the National Indian Education Association, the National Congress of American Indians, and Navajo Preparatory School.
