The Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs convened an oversight hearing to examine how federal economic development programs can be improved for Tribal Nations. Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) addressed the challenges faced by tribes in accessing these programs.
“Congress has created plenty of economic development tools for Tribal Nations. The problem isn’t a lack of programs. It’s a fragmented federal system that’s hard to navigate. When tribes face duplicative rules, offices, and timelines, the real barrier isn’t funding, it’s bureaucracy. Today’s hearing is about identifying those obstacles, respecting tribal sovereignty, and making federal programs actually work in Indian Country,” Hurd said.
Federal economic development initiatives for Indian Country are managed by several agencies, each with distinct regulations and approval procedures. This fragmentation often leads to overlapping requirements, delays, and inconsistent standards when tribes interact with the government. These issues can limit access to capital, procurement opportunities, and technical assistance.
Regulatory and procedural barriers are frequently cited as more significant hurdles than the availability of programs themselves. Streamlining processes and improving coordination among agencies could help remove unnecessary obstacles and provide tribes with better support for achieving long-term economic independence.
