Indigenous leaders are sounding the alarm over drastic federal funding cuts under President Donald Trump’s administration, warning of dire consequences for healthcare, infrastructure, education, and law enforcement in Native communities. The concerns were laid out in testimonies from more than 60 tribal leaders and organizations before a U.S. House Appropriations subcommittee.
Funding Cuts Leave Indian Country in Limbo
The testimonies, delivered over three days from Feb. 25 to Feb. 27, painted a grim picture of the financial uncertainty facing Indigenous communities. Tribal leaders described a growing fear as key federal programs are frozen or slashed, leaving essential services at risk.
Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis was among those who spoke, emphasizing the historical significance of tribal-federal relations. “We have been dealing with the federal government longer than any other group in this country,” he said. While acknowledging that government inefficiencies exist, he condemned what he called a “chainsaw approach” to budget cuts.
The mass layoffs of federal employees, reportedly orchestrated by billionaire Elon Musk under the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, have only worsened the uncertainty. Lewis warned that these cuts are not just bureaucratic trims—they threaten the survival of programs that Indigenous communities rely on.
Health Services and Infrastructure at Risk
One of the most immediate concerns is the potential impact on the Indian Health Service (IHS), which provides healthcare to millions of Native Americans. Budget cuts to IHS could lead to clinic closures, longer wait times, and reduced access to life-saving treatments.
Infrastructure projects, including water settlements that bring clean drinking water to reservations, are also in jeopardy. Many tribal nations have been working for years to resolve water rights issues, and a sudden halt in funding could reverse hard-won progress.
Education and law enforcement are similarly under threat. Schools that serve Native students depend heavily on federal grants, and many could face staffing shortages or shutdowns. Meanwhile, tribal police forces already stretched thin fear further budget reductions could lead to increased crime and reduced safety in Indigenous communities.
The ‘Paralyzed’ Federal Workforce
Tribal leaders say that the aggressive budget cuts have created chaos within the federal government. By slashing jobs without regard for their impact, Trump’s administration is destabilizing agencies responsible for upholding treaty obligations.
“The government-to-government relationship is only as strong as our federal partner,” Lewis said. “And right now, there is a real concern that the federal side of this partnership has the real potential of being dismantled.”
Rather than streamlining government operations, Lewis argued that the cuts have instilled fear among federal employees, making it harder for tribal nations to access the support they need.
Congressional Battle Ahead
As tribal leaders press for answers, members of Congress face increasing pressure to act. The subcommittee hearings mark the beginning of a long battle over federal funding priorities, with Native advocates pushing for protections against indiscriminate cuts.
Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concerns over the administration’s sweeping budget reductions, but whether they can halt or reverse them remains uncertain. With only months before the next fiscal year, tribal leaders are urging immediate action before the damage becomes irreversible.
Indigenous communities, already disproportionately impacted by economic and healthcare disparities, are bracing for what comes next. Their message to Washington is clear: The government’s obligations to Native nations are not expendable.
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