It goes on, all they do in the us gov is lie, cheat with each other's wives, why did u even make promises?  U r cowards and hypocrites

Broken Promises Report

Reviewing the Broken Promises Report: Examining the Chronic Federal Funding Shortfalls for Native Americans 

STATEMENT
OF
JASON FREIHAGE
DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR MANAGEMENT
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INDIAN AFFAIRS
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BEFORE THE
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCOMMITTEE FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE UNITED STATES

November 19, 2019

Good afternoon Chairman Gallego, Ranking Member Cook, and Members of the Subcommittee. My name is Jason Freihage and I am the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management (DAS-M) in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs (AS-IA) at the Department of the Interior (Department). Thank you for the opportunity to present testimony regarding the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights 2018 report entitled, Broken Promises: Continuing Federal Funding Shortfall for Native Americans, which updates its 2003 report, A Quiet Crisis: Federal Funding and Unmet Needs in Indian Country.

Since Assistant Secretary Sweeney was confirmed, her goal has been to develop strong relationships with Tribes to work on innovative solutions for lifting up Tribal communities. The Department is committed to working with Indian Country to make Indian Affairs an efficient enterprise that improves service delivery to Tribes, continues to improve the administration of operations within the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), strengthens law enforcement operations and opportunities, increases economic growth and broadband deployment opportunities, and focuses on a more effective voice for Tribes throughout the Federal Government. It is also important to note that during the 2019 appropriation process, the Department requested and Congress approved the transfer of the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians from the Office of the Secretary to the Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs. This re-alignment within the Department will enhance planning and coordination of policies and services related to Indian Country.

The Broken Promises report documents the challenges facing Indian Country. Poverty and violence rates in many Native American communities are higher than the national average. Other indicators of well being such as infant mortality and substance abuse are also higher than the rest of America. Addressing these challenges requires strategies which demonstrate a respect for Tribal sovereignty and employ a collaborative approach to providing services and funding to Indian Country. As the Broken Promises report indicates, it has been difficult for Federal funding to keep up with these challenges, much less track with growth in annual inflation.

While these challenges are significant, Indian Affairs is employing multiple strategies to advance progress wherever possible. Within budget resources available, Indian Affairs is targeting funding to meet the highest priority needs and coordinating with Federal partners to maximize our investments. In recognizing that relying on additional appropriated funding is not the only solution, we have initiated several management initiatives to address challenges identified in the report.

INDIAN AFFAIRS BUDGET

Tribal Interior Budget Council and Setting Priorities. Indian Affairs engages regularly with Tribes in the development of the budget through the Tribal Interior Budget Council (TIBC). TIBC provides a forum and process for Tribes and Federal officials to work together in developing annual budget requests for Indian programs in the Department of the Interior. This engagement is focused on setting priorities to inform decision making throughout the Federal budget process. Additionally, TIBC meetings allow for discussion on policy issues and management trends which impact the Indian Affairs budget and other programs that provide funding to Native Americans across the Federal government. For example, at TIBC meetings, Tribal leaders have repeatedly recommended advance appropriations for Indian Affairs programs to ensure continued delivery of programs. Similarly, 105(l) lease authority is another emerging issue we are actively engaged with Tribes on. We welcome the opportunity to work with Congress to explore solutions.

The President’s 2020 budget for Indian Affairs is $2.8 billion – this total includes funding for BIA, BIE and the AS-IA Office.

Bureau of Indian Education. The FY 2020 budget request for BIE programs within the Department totals $936.3 million. BIE leadership works tirelessly to provide quality education to all native youth. The BIE manages a school system which includes 169 elementary and secondary schools and 14 dormitories. Our Indian education program delivers education services to approximately 47,000 students across 23 States. Additionally, the BIE also operates two postsecondary schools and administers grants for 31 post-secondary institutions. Our BIE Director, and supporting staff, are all committed public servants dedicated to delivering the best education possible, in a culturally relevant manner, to our Tribal students.

One significant highlight of our 2020 budget is separate budget submissions for BIA and BIE, as part of an effort to improve overall transparency, accountability, and autonomy of the BIE. The goal is to strengthen the BIE as an independent bureau with a separate budget structure to advance ongoing BIE reforms and improve student outcomes at BIE-funded schools. A key aspect of this effort is decoupling overlapping functions of the BIA and BIE to better deliver services to schools, maximize efficiency, and build capacity within BIE. The BIE will retain existing programs and gradually assume direct responsibility for acquisition, safety, and facilities management. This budget separation will empower both the BIE and the BIA to more directly, and independently, focus on their respective core missions while avoiding redundancy and duplication.

Bureau of Indian Affairs. The request for BIA and the AS-IA Office is $1.9 billion in current appropriations. Within this total, the budget prioritizes base funding for Tribes and provides full funding for estimated Contract Support Costs, a total of $285.9 million; an additional $2.5 million for law enforcement priorities such as combating opioids; and $45.6 million for water settlements to enable the Department to meet Federal responsibilities outlined in enacted settlement with Indian Tribes.