Senator Udall Provides Guidance for Tribes on Resources from CARES Act

U.S. Senator Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, has issued guidance documents on the provisions for Tribes in the CARES Act. The third emergency COVID-19 package includes an $8 billion Tribal Coronavirus Relief Fund and $2 billion in Tribal health provisions.

“I am urging the administration to deploy these critical federal resources as quickly as possible with guidance from expedited, government-to-government consultations with Indian Tribes,” said Senator Udall. “I will keep fighting to ensure that Tribal communities have the support they need from the federal government to stay healthy and financially afloat during this national crisis.”

Through the $8 billion Tribal Government Relief fund, Native American Tribes have direct access to coronavirus resources for essential governmental services and economic recovery.

The legislation also consists of more than $2 billion in emergency supplemental funding, including $1.032 billion for the Indian Health Service. It also includes $69 million for the Bureau of Indian Education and $453 million for essential Tribal governmental programs funded through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

“Indian Country is on the front lines of this public health crisis, and they have been very clear that they need health, economic, and community COVID-19 recovery resources. That is why I pushed for inclusion of Tribal-specific resources in the CARES Act,” Senator Udall said.

In addition to the document outlining resources available to Tribes, Udall also released an FAQ for Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Tribal Enterprises, available by clicking here.