After Haaland, Cole Call for Clarity on CARES Act Funding for Tribal Industries, SBA Announces Paycheck Protection Program Eligibility for Tribes

Statement

After Co-Chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus Deb Haaland (NM-01) and Tom Cole (Okla.-04) called for clarity on CARES Act Funding for Tribal eligibility, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that all tribal entities are eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program. Tribal businesses are significant employers for Reservations and their surrounding communities, especially in rural areas. Because of lack of clarity, many tribal entities were left out of the first round of Paycheck Protection Program funding, but with the new funding passed yesterday in the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.

"All small businesses need relief from the economic struggles caused by this pandemic, but we heard from many Tribes that it was unclear if all their tribal entities would be eligible for relief through the programs created in the CARES Act. That's why we called on the Small Business Administration and the Department of Treasury to provide clarity and impressed the need to provide economic support for Tribes. Our hard work alongside my dear friend and colleague, Rep. Sharice Davids, to include tribal entities in this funding paid off. Now Native communities will have more financial security as we continue to address the impacts of this pandemic," said Haaland.

"I am very encouraged and reassured that tribal nations will indeed be eligible for the benefits provided by the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act," said Cole. "After speaking with multiple officials within the Trump Administration on numerous occasions, I am grateful they have heeded our words and will allow tribally-owned entities to be recognized with the same eligibility as other businesses. Financial security is vital in protecting tribal sovereignty during this crisis, and this change in policy will benefit tribes of various sizes, including smaller tribes that are in need of this help the most. I am proud that our hard work on this issue has paid off and the people of Indian Country will receive much deserved benefits."

When Haaland and Cole were made aware of challenges Tribes across the country were facing accessing funding provided through the Payment Protection Program created by the CARES Act, they led a Congressional Native American Caucus letter to the Small Business Administration and Department of Treasury. As part of their efforts to ensure the voices of Indian Country are heard, the Caucus directly included the concerns raised by the National Congress of American Indians, National Indian Gaming Association, Native American Contractors Association, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, and Native CDFI Network.

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