Democrats Block Amendment to Provide Advanced Appropriations for Indian Health Services

Statement

On Monday, Congressmen Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Tom Cole (R-OK) offered an amendment to the Democrats' budget bill, the Investing for the People Act, which would provide for the advanced appropriations of the Indian Health Services (IHS). The motion failed to pass in the Rules Committee on a party line vote.

"Indian Country has waited too long for quality and consistent health care," said Congressman Mullin. "Yesterday, I offered an amendment which would have given stability to IHS and ensured that the federal government fulfill its trust responsibility even in the event of a shutdown. Congress just witnessed the devastating effects a 35-day government shutdown had on IHS. Now is the time to act to ensure Native American healthcare is safeguarded in the event of a future shutdown. This amendment should have been made in order and brought to a vote on the full House floor."

"After the painful lapse in government funding earlier this year, both sides should want to urgently pursue solutions to protect the vital services and benefits promised to tribal nations," said Congressman Cole. "Last night, I was very disappointed that the House Rules Committee failed to make in order Congressman Mullin's commonsense amendment to specifically protect the Indian Health Service from service disruption in the event of another shutdown. Considering the federal government's trust responsibility to tribal nations that is affirmed by the U.S. Constitution, this solution should have received bipartisan support."

Before the December 2018 government shutdown, Congressman Mullin introduced H.R. 195, the Pay Our Doctors Act, which would keep IHS open in the event of a shutdown. Congressman Mullin has pledged to fight for advanced appropriations for IHS to ensure that Native American healthcare is not affected in the event of future government spending fights.

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