COVID-19 in Indian Country
On the House agenda: Senate Amendment to H.R. 748 – Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 25, 2020 McSally Secures Billions in Financial Relief for Tribes Amid Coronavirus Pandemic U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) announced today that she successfully secured strong federal assistance for Arizona tribes and native communities across the country –  including $8 billion in emergency funding – as part of the latest coronavirus relief package.   After two […]

“We must ensure Indian Country has equal access to federal coronavirus resources,” Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, said in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor on March 25, 2020. Full remarks below:

  TODAY: Udall to Speak on Senate Floor to Call for Passage of New Relief for New Mexico, Tribes in Third Coronavirus Package  Udall joined Senate Democrats to fight for improvements to bipartisan relief package that gives direct support to workers, small businesses, hospitals, and Native communities WASHINGTON—TODAY, Wednesday, March 25 at approximately 2:30 p.m. MT […]

Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, hosted a COVID-19 town hall on March 24, 2020.

Press Release March 25, 2020   Cole to Host Telephone Town Hall on COVID-19 Pandemic Moore, OK – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) announced today that he will host a constituent telephone town hall focused on the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During Thursday’s telephone event, Cole will provide updates on the steps taken by […]

For Immediate Release March 25, 2020 Udall Statement on Tribal Provisions in Senate Bipartisan Emergency COVID-19 Relief Package Compromise Agreement   Udall, Senate Democrats secured important improvements to meet the unique COVID-19 related needs of Native communities   Udall renews call for Tribal-specific title in future COVID-19 stimulus packages   WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator Tom Udall […]

March 24, 2020 Following Administration Briefing, Chair Grijalva and House Dems Call for Congressional Relief Bill to Address Desperate Health Needs in Indian Country Washington, D.C. – Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Vice Chair Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), chair of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States – all […]

For Immediate Release March 23, 2020 Seven Congressional Leaders Join 450+ Progressive Organizations to Demand People’s Bailout in Response to Coronavirus Crisis   Dear Colleague letter to Congressional leaders calls for “down payment” on green economy   WASHINGTON D.C — Indigenous Environmental Network is participating in a large coalition that is developing the “Five Principles […]

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), a former Democratic candidate for president, announced that her husband, John, has contracted coronavirus. “I love him & not being able to be by his side is one of the hardest things about this disease,” Klobuchar said in a post on social media. “So many are going through this & much […]

For Immediate Release March 22, 2020 Cortez Masto, Rosen Statement on Ongoing COVID-19 Legislation Negotiations Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) released the following statement following their procedural vote against Senator McConnell’s partisan coronavirus legislation.   “The priority for any coronavirus relief legislation must be supporting our hard working […]

Rep. Ben McAdams (D-Utah) continues to feel the health impacts of the coronavirus, having tested COVID-19 positive. He reported to a hospital in Utah on the evening of Friday, March 20, 2020, after experiencing a “severe shortness of breath,” according to a statement posted on social media. McAdams is one of three members of the […]

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) has tested positive for the coronavirus. He is the first member of the U.S. Senate, and the third member of the U.S. Congress, to report testing COVID-19 positive. “Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19. He is feeling fine and is in quarantine. He is asymptomatic and was tested out […]

The so-called “Phase 3” #Coronavirus relief package circulating on Capitol Hill leaves Indian Country behind. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act doesn’t mention tribes, American Indians or Alaska Natives. Not once in 274 pages. Here’s what Kevin Allis, Chief Executive Officer of the National Congress of American Indians, said about the CARES Act. […]

March 20, 2020 Chair Grijalva, Natural Resources Committee Launch New Coronavirus Resource Center, Seek Impact Information from Indian Country Washington, D.C. – Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and the majority staff of the House Natural Resources Committee are seeking information from Native American communities impacted by coronavirus on the level of governmental response they’ve seen, […]

March 20, 2020 Chair Grijalva Statement on Interior Secretary Bernhardt Encouraging Public Lands Visits During Coronavirus Pandemic Washington, D.C. – Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) released the following statement today on Interior Secretary David Bernhardt’s recent message to the American people encouraging visits to public lands during the coronavirus pandemic.   “While I understand the […]

March 20, 2020 Chair Grijalva, Rep. Cartwright Urge Congressional Leaders Not to Bail Out Coal Industry as Part of Coronavirus Response Washington, D.C. – Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.) today wrote to Democratic and Republican leaders of the House and Senate urging them to reject the National Mining Association’s (NMA) […]

For Immediate Release March 19, 2020 Udall Statement on Indian Country Priorities for Coronavirus Phase 3 Package WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, issued the following statement on priorities for Indian Country he is calling for to be included in the third coronavirus response legislation: […]

Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas), a citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation and one of four tribal citizens in the U.S. House of Representatives, has placed herself in self-quarantine until March 26, 2020, after being in “contact with a fellow member of Congress who recently tested positive for COVID-19.” Davids joins Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), a citizen […]

In a column written before he went into self-quarantine, Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, discussed efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the United States: “… the reality is that each of us have a part to play in saving and protecting lives during this pandemic.” https://www.indianz.com/News/2020/03/19/rep-tom-cole-flatten-the-curve.asp