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.
House of Representatives Extends Federal Funding Deadline to December
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a continuing resolution (CR) extending federal government funding through December 11, 2026, avoiding a potential funding lapse when current appropriations expire September 30. The House passed the measure 370-48 on September 1.
The CR includes additional funding for staffing and operations at Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities that were recently opened, renovated or expanded. While IHS has advance appropriations that help maintain health services during a government shutdown, not all Tribal health-related accounts are covered.
The legislation also delays until December 11 implementation of a proposed Office of Management and Budget rule that would significantly change the federal government’s Uniform Guidance governing grants, cooperative agreements and other financial assistance.
The extension provides temporary funding certainty for programs serving Indian Country while Congress works toward longer-term fiscal year 2027 appropriations.
FCC Chairman Carr Announced Appointments to the FCC’s Native Nations Communications Task Force (NNCTF)
- On July 16, 2026, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing FCC Chairman Carr’s additional appointments to the FCC’s NNCTF and setting the date of first meeting on August 4, 2026. NNCTF meetings are not open to the public.
- The NNCTF’s mission is to provide guidance, expertise, and recommendations to specific requests from the FCC on a range of telecommunications issues that directly or indirectly affect Tribal governments and their people. This will enhance the FCC’s ability to carry out its statutory responsibilities to ensure the availability of communications by wire and radio and encourage broadband deployment to all Americans.
FCC Form 481 and Broadband Deployment Data Available to Tribal Officials
- Tribal officials can now request access to the most recent FCC Form 481 filings submitted by telecommunications carriers that serve Native American communities with financing from the High Cost program by completing the Tribal Access Request Form and emailing it to the USAC High Cost Division at Form481@usac.org. Tribal officials can also view deployment data for broadband networks supported by the Connect America Fund (CAF) in Indian Country through the Connect America Fund Broadband Map (CAF Map) and the Connect America Fund State Map (CAF State Map)
