When a Congress emerges from an election period and it faces the final few days of a session, it is called a “lame duck” Congress. But Congress is anything but lame during these seasons. Typically, members compress a lot of activity — not all of it good — into the final days.
Funny things happen when a congressional session comes to a close. A few things – at least in the collective mind of Congress – must pass. Whatever these bills are, they manage to carry a wide and colorful range of riders – some seem “right and just” and many do not.
Given the bizarre context, faith groups collaborating in the Native American Working Group wrote a rather unusual letter to the Native American caucus in the House. Of the 70-some members of Congress in this caucus, many represent a lot of Indians in their state or district, and most tend to be informed about and sympathetic to Native American concerns.
The letter was unusual because, contrary to usual advice and practice, the letter (a) was long, (b) covered many different topics, and (c) included several items that might never come up.
Keep an eye out for these issues. They could come up, either positively or negatively. Who knows in these times?
Funding increases for schools, health care, tribal governance, human services, and business loans and grants to tribes to help pay for roads and “shared passenger transportation.” See Follow the (Trickle of) Money.
Columbia river fishing camp facilities.
Federal recognition of six Virginia tribes and one in Montana.
Sentencing reform - which has [a huge impact on Native youth.] (https://www.fcnl.org/updates/federal-sentencing-reform-and-indian-country-259)
Opposing interference with consultations between the Standing Rock Sioux and federal agencies.
Opposing de-regulation of three dams on the St. Croix River. See Water is Life – In Maine.
Opposing passage of the Utah Public Lands Initiative. See [Monumental Decisions to Protect Ancestral Lands] (https://www.fcnl.org/article/233).