U.S. Senators Discuss Implementation of Infrastructure and Inflation Acts in Native Communities

In a recent move to ensure effective deployment of new laws, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, together with U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Committee, spearheaded a roundtable discussion. The core theme of the talk revolved around understanding the application of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act within the Native communities.

This discussion was not a mere closed-door policy chat. Instead, it had the distinctive feature of integrating voices directly from the heart of Tribal and Native organization leaders. The primary goal was to get firsthand insights into how the programs under the aforementioned acts are serving the Native communities.

Chairman Schatz reflected on the significant strides made during the last Congress, saying, “Last Congress, we passed two big bills making historic investments to bolster our nation’s infrastructure and support climate solutions.” Recognizing the significant groundwork already laid, he acknowledged the challenges ahead. “The administration is doing a great job so far, but there’s a lot to be done,” he stated. Schatz underscored the importance of the discussion, viewing it as the inaugural step in a prolonged conversation. He emphasized, “Let this [roundtable] be the beginning of a longer-term dialogue with all of the participants but also across Indian Country and Native communities in Hawai‘i and Alaska.”

Echoing Schatz’s sentiments but focusing on the pivotal role Native communities play, Vice Chairman Lisa Murkowski commented on the paramountcy of firsthand knowledge. “Native communities know best how to use these once-in-a-generation investments to address their wide-ranging infrastructure needs.” Murkowski stressed the responsibility of federal agencies to ensure that these potentially transformative investments are accessible to all. She highlighted, “Federal agencies must ensure no community is left out of these funding opportunities.”

Furthermore, expressing her gratitude, she said, “I thank the tribal leaders and advocates for their insights into how these investments make the most difference in American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities.”

The roundtable was a testament to the commitment of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to ensure that the massive investments from recent legislative acts truly make an impact. As both senators highlighted, it’s about more than just funds; it’s about fostering dialogue, understanding, and ensuring that every community, especially the Native ones, reaps the benefits.

The following panelists participated in the roundtable:

The Honorable Jarred-Michael Erickson, Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Nespelem, WA

The Honorable Jacob Keyes, Chairman, Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, Perkins, OK

The Honorable Timothy Nuvangyaoma, Chairman, Hopi Tribe, Kykotsmovi, AZ

The Honorable Sherry Parker, Chairwoman, Hualapai Tribe, Peach Springs, AZ

Ms. Shawn Malia Kanaʻiaupuni, President & Chief Executive Officer of Partners in Development Foundation, Honolulu, HI

Ms. Jasmine Boyle, Chief Development Officer, Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc., Anchorage, AK

Ms. Susan Masten, Acting Executive Director, Native American Finance Officers Association, Washington, DC