- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
As tribal governments wait for the U.S. Department of Treasury to release $8 billion in overdue emergency funding, six tribes have sued the Trump Administration in an attempt to speed up the process.
The six tribes from five different states filed a lawsuit against Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
The lawsuit alleges that Mnuchin has “violated his clear non-discretionary duty” to disburse the funds allocated to tribal governments under Title V of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“As of today, April 30, 2020, the Secretary has violated his clear non-discretionary duty to act in accordance with the CARES Act mandate by failing to disburse Title V funds to Tribal governments, including the plaintiffs, within the timeframe Congress determined,” the filing states.
Congress mandated that the funds for tribes be distributed no later than 30 days from the date President Trump signed the CARES Act into law. Trump signed the law on March 27, triggering a “not later than” date of April 26, 2020 for the funds to be distributed.
The tribes ask the court to order Mnuchin to disperse the funds within 24 hours “in a manner consistent with the CARES Act and this Court's April 27, 2020 Order.”
Earlier this week, federal Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Secretary Mnuchin cannot disburse any of the $8 billion of CARES Act relief funding intended for tribal governments to for-profit Alaska Native Corporations. While the court enjoined the Treasury Secretary from sending funds to ANCs, Mehta’s ruling did not direct Mnuchin to disburse the entire $8 billion in emergency relief funds to the 574 federally recognized tribes.
The ruling also did not instruct Mnuchin when the funds should be distributed, though Judge Mehta asked for an update today on progress toward that goal.
The six tribes that sued Mnuchin on Monday are the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (Calif.), Ak-Chin Indian Community (Ariz.), Arapaho Tribe of the Wind River Reservation (Wyo.), Cherokee Nation (Okla.), Snoqualmie Indian Tribe (Wash.) and the Yurok Tribe of the Yurok Reservation (Calif.)
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (October 1, 2023): D.C. BriefsGeoffrey Blackwell Named NCAI's General Council and Chief of Staff
Assemblymember James C. Ramos Remembers Sen. Feinstein's Commitment to Sacred Sites
Federal Shutdown Averted Through a Stopgap Bill
Orange Shirt Day Observed on Friday on the Grounds of Closed Tomah Indian Industrial School
Stand with us in championing Indigenous journalism that makes a difference. Your support matters.
Support our Indigenous-led newsroom as we shed light on critical issues, such as the painful history of Indian Boarding Schools. To date, we've published nearly 200 stories dedicated to this important topic, providing insights and awareness to a global audience. Our news is freely accessible to all, but its production demands resources. That's why we're reaching out to you this month for your generous contribution.
For those who commit to a recurring donation of $12 per month or more, or make a one-time donation of $150 or greater, we're excited to offer you a copy of our upcoming Indian Boarding School publication. Additionally, you will be added to our Founder's Circle. Together, we can ensure that these vital stories continue to be told, shared, and remembered.
