WEEK IN REVIEW
Noteworthy headlines you might have missed
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DC Plane Crash Live Updates as Search for Victims Continues in Potomac River; No Survivors From Disaster
CBS News
An American Airlines plane with 60 passengers and four crew on board collided in midair with an Army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three soldiers near Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC and crashed into the Potomac River on Wednesday night. Officials said everyone on both aircraft perished.
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Tracking Trump's Cabinet Picks
Politico
Several of President Trump's cabinet nominees have been confirmed by the Senate. Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, CIA Director John Ratcliff, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin have all been confirmed. 8 other nominees are navigating the Senate confirmation process.
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Haaland to Run for
New Mexico Governor
The Hill
Former Interior Secretary and New Mexico Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D) has announced her intention to run for Governor in New Mexico in 2026. Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) will run to replace Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) who is term limited.
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The 2,600 Federal Programs Under Scrutiny by Trump's OMB
New York Times
When the White House Office of Management and Budget issued a freeze on funding this week, they name nearly 2,600 programs that would be reviewed. While the initial memo has since been rescinded, the Trump Administration is still expected to closely scrutinize these programs. Among the programs listed were the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project and the Navajo-Hopi Indian Settlement program.
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WEEKLY UPDATES
A glimpse into our office's week
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Remembering "Downwinders" - Victims of Radiation Poisoning by the American Government
On Monday, President Nygren issued a proclamation designating January 27, 2025 as "A Day of Remembrance for American Downwinders and Navajo Uranium Miners." This hallowed day recognizes those who were unknowingly exposed to radioactive fallout and uranium contamination.
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Ensuring Water Security: The Navajo Nation's Support for the WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act
On January 23, the Navajo Nation provided testimony before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries, advocating for federal policy changes to address water challenges in Indian Country. The hearing focused on several legislative proposals, including the WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act, which aims to make water management and drought relief funds more accessible to Native American tribes.
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Senate Approves Doug Burgum's Nomination for Secretary of the Interior
The Senate has confirmed Doug Burgum to lead the Department of the Interior. In a 79-18 vote yesterday, Burgum overwhelming earned the support of the Senate to direct the agency in charge of public lands, natural resources, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. All six of the Senators representing the Navajo Nation in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah voted in favor of his nomination.
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U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Confirmed by Senate
Sean Duffy was confirmed as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation on Tuesday, January 28, by a Senate vote of 77-22. As Secretary of Transportation, Duffy will oversee the nation's vast transportation infrastructure, while setting safety standards for trains, automobiles, and commercial trucking. His confirmation comes at a time where the country grapples with increased demands for modernized infrastructure and improved transportation safety - issues that are often exacerbated in rural areas of the United States, like the Navajo Nation.
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Senate Reviews RFK Jr.'s Nomination for Health Secretary Amid Tensions
The Senate recently held two nomination hearings for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump's nominee for Secretary for Health and Human Services. The hearings were marked by rigorous questioning from both sides of the political spectrum. The hearings reflected a divide, with Republicans showing support and Democrats remaining cautious. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) confirmed Kennedy's commitment to increasing the budget for Indian Country, which he affirmed, citing his dedication to Native issues and his role with Indian Country Today.
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LEGISLATIVE FOCUS
Congressional Committee Activity
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Legislative Activity
No Legislative Activity
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Upcoming Hearings
No Upcoming Hearings
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News
No Significant Updates
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Legislative Activity
No Legislative Activity
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Upcoming Hearings
No Upcoming Hearings
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News
Collins, Murray Announce Appropriations Subcommittees Leadership and Roster for the 119th Congress
Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee respectively, announced the Senate Appropriations subcommittee chairs, ranking members, and full rosters for the 119th Congress.
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Senator Collins' Statement on OMB Rescinding Memo to Freeze Federal Funding
Senator Collins (R-ME), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued a statement on the decision of the White House Office of Management and Budget to rescind the memo to temporarily freeze certain federal funding.
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Vice Chair Murray, Ranking Member DeLauro Raise Alarm on New OMB Memoranda, Trump Administration's Efforts to Defy Federal Law, Constitution to Withhold Approved Federal Funding
Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro wrote to Acting Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Matthew J. Vaeth raising the alarm on President Trump's unlawful executive orders and the new memoranda issued by OMB on Monday directing agencies to withhold vast swaths of approved federal funding.
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Senator Murray Calls on Trump to Rescind Executive Orders Still Blocking Billions for Communities Across America
U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, called on President Trump to swiftly rescind the directives included in a variety of executive orders he signed on his first day in office that are still in effect and still blocking billions of dollars in resources for communities across America—even after Trump rescinded his administration’s disastrous OMB memo in the face of public outcry, which created a blanket federal funding freeze.
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Murray, Kaptur Demand Answers on Trump Administration Freezing Energy Department Investments to Lower American's Energy Costs
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Ranking Member, and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, wrote a letter to the Acting Secretary of the Department of Energy demanding answers about the Trump administration withholding critical investments to lower energy costs for American families and businesses, spur innovation, and strengthen our energy security.
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Legislative Activity
HR 410 - To extend the Alaska Native Vietnam era veterans land allotment program, and for other purposes
Sponsored by Representative Begich (R-AK-At Large), Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs (1/29/2025)
HR 412 - To authorize the Bay Mills Indian Community of the State of Michigan to convey land and interests in land owned by the tribe
Sponsored by Representative Bergman (R-MI-1), Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs (1/29/2025)
HR 504 - To amend the Miccosukee Reserved Area Act to authorize the expansion of the Miccsukee Reserved Area and to carry out activities to protect structures within the Osceola Camp from flooding, and for other purposes
Sponsored by Representative Gimenez (R-FL=28), Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs (1/29/2025)
HR 741 - To elevate the position of the Director of the Indian Health Service within the Department of Health and Human Services to Assistant Secretary for Indian Health, and for other purposes
Sponsored by Representative Stanton (D-AZ-4), Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs (1/29/2025)
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News
Westerman Congratulates Secreatry Burgum on Confirmation
US Senate confirmed Governor Doug Burgum (R-ND) as secretary of the Department of the Interior.
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Legislative Activity
HR 23 - Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act
Sponsored by Representative Chip (R-TX-21), Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote, 54-45. Record Vote Number: 22. (1/28/2025)
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Upcoming Hearings
No Upcoming Hearings
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News
Cole, Womack Statement on Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Collision
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK-04) and Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (R-AR) issued a statement following the mid-air collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
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Ciscomani: Out National Debt Demands Immediate Action
Appropriator and Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus Member, Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), wrote an op-ed for the Washington Reporter, noting how servicing our national debt has become the second fastest growing expense in the federal budget. He urges the need to reverse this trajectory to safeguard the prosperity and security of the United States for generations to come.
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TRIBAL CONSULTATIONS
Consultation Schedule for Next Week
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Monday, February 3, 2025
NO CONSULTATIONS
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Tuesday, February 4, 2025
NO CONSULTATIONS
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Wednesday, February 5, 2025
NO CONSULTATIONS
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Thursday, February 6, 2025
NO CONSULTATIONS
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Friday, February 7, 2025
NO CONSULTATIONS
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Notice of Task Force on Research on Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women Meeting
The Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice has scheduled a meeting of the Task Force on Research on Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women. The meeting will take place on February 10, 2025 from 1:00pm to 5:30pm ET
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Administration for Native Americans Project Outcome Assessment Survey
The Administration for Children and Families is requesting a 3-year extension of the Administration for Native Americans Project Outcome Assessment Survey (OMB #: 0970-0379, expiration 6/30/2025). The survey was revised based on a review by the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) and feedback from grantees, which identified some data elements that could be eliminated and areas that could be clarified. Comments are due by February 12, 2025.
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Census Bureau's Proposed Race/Ethnicity Code List for the American Community Survey and the 2030 Census
The Census Bureau is seeking feedback on the proposed race/ethnicity code list that will be used when the combined race/ethnicity question is implemented in the American Community Survey (ACS) and the 2030 Census. The Census Bureau aims to enhance and improve the code list that was used in the 2020 Census and is currently used in the ACS to ensure that detailed race and/or ethnicity responses are accurately coded and tabulated in future data collections. Comments are due by February 18, 2025.
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Indian Health Service Customer Service Satisfaction and Similar Surveys
The Indian Health Service invites the general public to take this opportunity to comment on the information collection Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 0917- 0036, “Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery.” Comments are due by February 21, 2025.
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For more information regarding topics provided in the newsletter, please contact NNWO at info@nnwo.org | | |
Navajo Nation Washington Office | www.nnwo.org | | | | |
