WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, applauded the committee’s unanimous passage of three bills he introduced last week:
• S. 256 – the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Programs Reauthorization Act;
• S. 257 – the Tribal HUD-VASH Act of 2019; and
• S. 294 – the Native American Business Incubators Program Act.
“I am proud to join Chairman Hoeven and the leadership of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee – Senator Tester and Senator Isakson – on the Tribal HUD-VASH bill,” said Udall . “We are all aware that the issues facing Indian Country do not stop at the doors of this Committee. I hope S.257 will be the first of many cross-committee efforts in this Congress to advance legislation benefiting Indian Tribes.”
“By assisting Tribal communities to revitalize their Native languages and expanding access to support programs for homeless veterans and small business owners on reservations, today’s bills will go a long way toward leveling the playing field of opportunity for Tribes and Native communities,” continued Udall . “These bills speak to a larger goal I have as vice chairman –advancing policies that promote tribal sovereignty and Tribal parity.”
