rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/indian-programs-advance-appropriations-act?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-indian-programs-advance-appropriations-act' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Native Organizers Alliance Action Fund https://actionnetwork.org/groups/native-organizers-alliance https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/groups/default_facebook_images/000/022/886/original/NOA_ActionFundBanner2.png?1668645803 In 2011, Congress enacted the Veterans’ Health Budget Reform and Transparency Act, requiring the federal government to provide advance appropriations for Veteran Affairs (VA), protecting veterans from gaps in funding during a government shutdown or when passage of a budget is delayed. Now, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Co-Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Native American Caucus, along with House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.), U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) have introduced the bipartisan Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act to authorize advance appropriations for agencies responsible for critical services and programs in Indian Country. The Indian Health Service (IHS), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) fund critical public services for Tribal Nations, including hospitals, schools, law enforcement, and child welfare programs. It’s time we protect jobs and treaty rights the same way we protect funding for the VA, while also ensuring U.S. government compliance with treaty responsibilities constitutionally guaranteed to Tribes. We’ve won this fight before. In 2023, Congress provided the Indian Health Service with advance funding for the first time in annual appropriations bills, a historic achievement thanks to the tireless work of Tribal Nations and advocates (like us!) across the country. However, current law does not require IHS to continue receiving advance appropriations, nor does it provide this stable funding for the BIE and BIA either. The Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act would once again protect IHS funding and expand it to the BIE and BIA, providing critical financial security and safeguarding trust and treaty responsibilities at these agencies going forward. Click “START WRITING” to send a message urging your members of Congress to pass the bipartisan Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act now. https://actionnetwork.org/letters/indian-programs-advance-appropriations-act