Murkowski seeks hearing on Native contracting

Business | Politics

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is asking the Senate Indian Affairs Committee to hold a hearing on government contracting for tribal, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian businesses.

Murkowski, a member of the committee, is a strong supporter of the 8(a) program at the Small Business Administration. She participated in a recent hearing on the issue but believes Indian Country didn't get a fair shake.

"The Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight hearing was a hostile environment for the Native Corporations and I believe the Indian Affairs panel would provide a fair and impartial environment for Indian tribes, Native corporations and Native Hawaiians to tell their story," Murkowski said, referring to a July 23 hearing.

Murkowski asked Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the Indian Affairs chairman, and Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), the vice chairman, to schedule a hearing this fall. She said the committee needs to hear from Native businesses before Congress takes any action on the 8(a) program.

“Recognizing the unique relationship that exists with our Nation’s first peoples, Indian tribes, Alaska Native corporations, and Native Hawaiians need to be consulted before any further legislative action is pursued," Murkowski said in her letter.

Committee Testimony:
Contracting Preferences for Alaska Native Corporations (July 16, 2009)

Committee Notice:
CONTRACTING OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE TO EXAMINE EXEMPTIONS FAVORING ALASKA NATIVE CORPORATIONS (July 16, 2009)