SC Alaska News

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, who chairs the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, has called upon the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue a memorandum ensuring that Indian Tribes are not adversely affected by the implementation of recent Presidential Executive Orders. The orders in question focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility (DEIA), and environmental justice (EJ).

Senator Murkowski expressed concerns in her letter to OMB that Tribal programs might be incorrectly classified under DEIA or EJ initiatives. She emphasized that any disruption to these programs could compromise the United States' trust responsibility towards Indian Tribes. "In the implementation of these Presidential initiatives, Tribes have raised concerns that Tribal programs may be misclassified as DEIA or EJ," she wrote.

She further urged OMB to reaffirm the unique treatment and services provided to Indian Tribes due to their political and legal status recognized by U.S. law. "I ask OMB to take action now...to ensure that there is no disruption to federal Tribal programs," Murkowski stated.

The senator also acknowledged efforts made by the Department of Interior through Secretarial Order 3416 in implementing Executive Order 14151 as an example for other agencies. "At least one federal agency seems to understand this distinct legal and political relationship with Indian Tribes—the Department of the Interior," Murkowski noted.

Senator Murkowski also requested a written response from OMB detailing additional measures they plan to implement for recognizing the unique status of Indian Tribes based on their political classification.

The full text of Senator Murkowski's letter can be accessed for further details.