FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2025
Fort Hall Business Council maintains vigilance of the effects on potential pausing of federal funding
By THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
FORT HALL – On Tuesday, January 28, a federal judge granted an administrative stay on the Trump Administration’s pause of federal financial assistance until Monday, February 3 at 5 p.m. As a result, federal financial assistance will continue while legal challenges play out. However, the Court’s order did not direct the restoration of funding already paused. A second legal challenge by a group of state Attorneys General is also under consideration.
The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes’ Fort Hall Business Council is diligent in efforts to protect and preserve the rights granted by the 1868 Fort Bridger Treaty and hold the Federal government to their trust responsibilities to recognize and respect Tribal sovereignty. It will continue to aggressively monitor the new administration’s actions and continue informing Tribal members, its workforce, and the Fort Hall community on issues of concern.
The Fort Hall Business Council (FHBC) called a Director’s Meeting to update Tribal government staff on the new administration’s memo issued on January 27 to temporarily pause grants, loans, or federal financial assistance programs that are implicated by the President’s Executive Orders. Potential impacts of the Federal funding freeze could be profound, and may have far-reaching consequences across the Tribes, Indian Country, and the United States.
The current focus of the lapse in funding targets diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and environmental justice or “green new deal program” initiatives, Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Act funding, and the Infrastructure Reduction Act. The order directs a review of all federal financial assistance programs and supporting activities to include federal grants, cooperative agreements, direct appropriations, food commodities, loans, loan, loan guarantees, interest subsidies, and insurance, which could have adverse impacts on the Tribal government and degrade services provided to Tribal members.
The staff was directed to identify any program with funding at risk and provide the impacts for Council to advocate on behalf of Tribal members.
The funding freeze does not impact direct support to individuals, including Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and SNAP funding. Funds for small businesses, farmers, Pell grants, Head Start, rental assistance, and other similar programs are also exempt. Tribal government staff are assessing these programs to identify any situation where funding for these programs may be erroneously turned off. The Tribes anticipate attempts targeting funding on other programs to include 638 contract monies and any funds to tribes that could be directly or indirectly tied to non-conformance with the Administration’s priorities.
The FHBC sent an initial inquiry to Idaho’s Congressional Delegation and will follow-up with a summary of impacts of funding pauses on the Tribes. Chairman Lee Juan Tendoy will lead a delegation to Washington D.C. to advocate for our Treaty Rights. Likewise, Council Treasurer Sammy Matsaw Jr. is currently attending the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) to address concerns. The Tribes are also collaborating with the Coalition of Large Tribes (COLT) as they engage congressional members and coordinate discussions with the White House Intergovernmental Affairs to advocate concerns and for Tribal exemptions.
The FHBC is assured the Tribes will endure and is focused and proactive in protecting the health, safety, and well-being of the people, lands, waterways, and wildlife. Council will continue to stand up for people’s rights as members of a Sovereign Nation.