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- By Native News Online Staff
WASHINGTON — In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently.
Tribes Secure SNAP Work Requirement Exemption in Latest Version of Landmark Legislation
The "One Big Beautiful Bill" has emerged as a major legislative priority for both the Administration and Congress, bringing together a wide range of funding and policy measures into a single comprehensive package. While the bill's broad scope aims to address national priorities, its initial proposals posed significant risks to Indian Country. The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) has been actively working to safeguard Tribal interests—advocating for critical exemptions and ensuring the federal government honors its trust and treaty obligations.
On June 25, 2025, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry released updated text of the reconciliation bill, which now includes a vital provision: the exemption of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements. This exemption aligns with similar protections for AI/ANs in the bill, such as those related to Medicaid work and community engagement requirements.
Restricting access to SNAP would severely undermine the United States’ trust responsibility. In Indian Country, food insecurity affects 1 in 4 Native individuals. Approximately 25% of AI/ANs rely on federal nutrition assistance—with some Tribal communities seeing reliance rates as high as 80%. Securing this exemption is a crucial step in ensuring Native people maintain access to the essential support SNAP provides, and that the federal government upholds its legal and moral obligations to Tribal Nations.
Legislation Reintroduced to Grant Federal Recognition to the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians
U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) reintroduced legislation to grant federal recognition to the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians (GRB). In addition to granting federal recognition to the GRB, the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians Restoration Act would make its members eligible for benefits and services provided by the federal government, including tuition, health care, and housing assistance. U.S. Representatives Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03) and John James (R-MI-10) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
The GRB is a native sovereign nation with agreements with the federal government dating back to 1795. The GRB originally included 19 bands of Ottawa people who lived along the Grand River and other waterways in Southwest Michigan. Today, most of the GRB’s membership resides in Kent, Muskegon, and Oceana counties.
FCC Tribal Consultation announced on NEPA and Section 106 Process of NHPA
- The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) and the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau’s Office of Native Affairs and Policy (ONAP) announced via Public Notice (DA 25-538) an upcoming opportunity for federally-recognized Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) to consult with Commission staff regarding the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Section 106 process of the National Historic Preservation Act.
- The consultation will be held via video conference on:
- Tuesday, July 15, 2025
- 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT
- Click here to read Public Notice
- >>> Register link here
- Attendance will be limited to elected and appointed leaders or duly appointed representatives of federally-recognized Tribal Nations and NHOs, including Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs). Time permitting, we will invite statements from other Tribal representatives and participants during the Listening Session.
- Tribal Nations and NHOs, like other interested parties, should file comments, reply comments, and ex parte presentations in the public record in order to put facts and arguments before the Commission in a manner such that they may be relied upon in the decision-making process. The Commission, however, will exempt ex parte presentations involving elected and appointed leaders, and duly appointed representatives, of federally-recognized Tribal Nations and NHOs from the disclosure requirements in permit-but-disclose proceedings (47 CFR § 1.1206) and the prohibitions on presentations during the Sunshine Agenda period (47 CFR § 1.1203). Specifically, presentations from elected and appointed leaders or duly appointed representatives of federally-recognized Tribal Nations or NHOs, including THPOs, to Commission decision makers shall be exempt from disclosure.
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