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:

Six Native Organizations Back Rep. Sharice Davids for House Small Business Committee Chair

Six Native American organizations are joining forces to support U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS), a citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation, in her bid to become chair of the House Small Business Committee in the 120th Congress.

Led by the Native American Contractors Association (NACA), the organizations sent a letter to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressing their support for Davids and urging Democratic leadership to back her candidacy.

The letter was also signed by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA), Indian Gaming Association, Native CDFI Network and National Congress of American Indians.

Davids, who served on the House Small Business Committee from 2019 to 2025, is expected to face U.S. Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.) in the contest for the committee’s top Democratic position.

In its statement, NACA emphasized the importance of strong congressional leadership for small businesses, particularly those operating in Indian Country and Native communities.

“Small businesses are vital to communities across the country, including throughout Indian Country and Native communities. At a time when small businesses are navigating rising costs and a challenging economic environment, strong leadership on the House Small Business Committee is especially important,” NACA said.

The organizations pointed to Davids’ experience representing urban, rural and Tribal communities, saying her background gives her an understanding of the economic challenges facing small businesses.

“As a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation with experience representing urban, rural and Tribal communities, Representative Davids understands the challenges small businesses face and the important role they play in creating jobs, strengthening communities and expanding economic opportunity,” NACA said.

NACA said it was proud to stand alongside the other Native organizations in supporting Davids’ candidacy.

The leadership contest comes at a consequential time for Native-owned businesses, Tribal enterprises and Native community development organizations, which rely on access to federal resources, contracting opportunities and policies that support economic development.

Tribal Organizations Urge Senate to Reject BAAJA, Cite Threats to Tribal Sovereignty

Tribal organizations are urging U.S. senators to vote against advancing the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA), warning that changes included in the bill’s Manager’s Amendment fail to address serious threats to Tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, sacred sites and cultural resources.

In a letter to the Senate, the organizations said the revised legislation maintains provisions that undermine Tribal Nations’ ability to protect their lands, communities and cultural resources under federal permitting laws, including the National Historic Preservation Act.

The organizations argued that the legislation’s proposed permitting reforms place industrial development ahead of Tribal sovereignty and federal trust responsibilities without delivering meaningful affordability benefits to the American public.

Among their concerns, the organizations said the Manager’s Amendment:

  • Narrows the types of projects and potential impacts subject to federal review, including excluding visual, atmospheric and audible effects.
  • Fails to require Tribal consultation when federal agencies initially identify areas of potential effects and historic properties that may be harmed.
  • Penalizes Tribal Nations and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers for delays caused by chronic federal underfunding and unrealistic deadlines.
  • Restricts judicial review and limits the ability of Tribal Nations to obtain preliminary injunctions to prevent damage to cultural resources.
  • Gives federal agencies excessive authority to determine whether projects affect historic properties and whether other interests outweigh potential harm.
  • Fails to provide adequate Tribal data sovereignty protections for a proposed federal database program.

The organizations said Congress is presenting a false choice between protecting Tribal sovereign rights and improving the nation’s infrastructure.

IHS Updates Nutrition Guidance for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

The Indian Health Service (IHS) has published a revised chapter of its Indian Health Manual outlining updated policies and guidance for nutrition services serving American Indian and Alaska Native individuals, families and communities.

The revised Indian Health Manual, Part 3, Chapter 5 — Nutrition establishes the mission, standards, procedures and responsibilities guiding nutrition programs across federal, Tribal and urban Indian health settings.

The updated chapter emphasizes evidence-based, culturally relevant and family-oriented approaches to nutrition care, chronic disease prevention and treatment, and coordination among health programs and services.

It also recognizes the impact of food insecurity, limited access to nutritious foods, poverty and historical trauma on the nutritional health of Native communities.

The revisions incorporate the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans while emphasizing that nutrition services must reflect the cultural preferences, needs and resources of the communities they serve.

The updated guidance is intended to strengthen the delivery of high-quality nutrition services throughout the Indian health system.