WASHINGTON – Senate Democratic leadership announced that U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) will continue serving as the vice chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in the 116th Congress, a position Udall has held since 2017. The leadership post gives Udall a powerful platform to continue to advocate for Native communities in New Mexico and across the country. With Udall’s leadership, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee has advanced numerous Tribal priorities in the 115th Congress.
“I have been honored to serve as vice chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee alongside Chairman Hoeven, carrying on the committee’s long tradition of bipartisanship and working across the aisle to get things done for Indian Country,” Udall said . “I am eager to continue all the important work the committee has done to expand opportunity for Native communities in New Mexico and across Indian Country, and to ensure that the United States is living up to its trust and treaty obligations to Tribes. I am deeply proud of the work we’ve done with Indian Country to advance their priorities in Congress, including to protect and expand health care, improve infrastructure and public safety, protect our environment and public lands, respect and revitalize Native languages, cultures and traditions, and ensure that federal programs work for all Native communities.
Udall continued , “Too often and throughout our history, the federal government has failed to uphold its responsibilities to Native Americans. In the next Congress, I will keep fighting for Native communities to ensure that their priorities are Congress’s priorities.”
