Hearing of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee - Opening Statement of Sen. Udall, Hearing on High Risk, No Reward: GAO's High Risk List for Indian Programs

Hearing

Oversight Hearing Opening Remarks:

Thank you, Chairman Hoeven, for holding this oversight hearing on GAO's 2017 High Risk Report.

The federal government has treaty and trust responsibilities to provide vital services, including health care and education, to Native American and Alaska Native tribes -- fulfillment of these responsibilities is both a moral and legal obligation.

As Congress' oversight partner, the GAO plays an important role. It dedicates time and resources to thoroughly reviewing the delivery of Indian programs within the BIA, BIE, and IHS. The review helps identify where we're falling short of meeting our responsibilities.

For years, GAO's work has provided evidence of something many Tribal communities have long reported -- that management challenges and funding barriers at these agencies reduce the effectiveness of Tribal programs.

Their findings shed light on the need for increased management oversight, infrastructure investment, and workforce development, and their decision to include Indian programs on the High Risk list underscores the need to redouble this committee's efforts to uncover the systemic challenges plaguing BIE schools, IHS facilities, and the BIA's leasing program.

When I met with Comptroller General Dodaro last week, he explained what a "high risk" designation means and the outcomes associated with such a designation.

In my view, this designation presents this committee with an opportunity -- an opportunity to do better by not only recognizing the administrative challenges to effectively running these programs but also by committing resources and expertise tailored to address them. That will enable us to do our part to uphold the federal government's trust responsibilities to Tribes.

Budgets are a direct demonstration of our priorities. Just as we have come here today to ask for more accountability from program administrators, Members of this committee must join together to fight for more funding for schools and hospitals and teachers and nurses.

I look forward to working with my colleagues on this committee. Many of them -- like Senator Murkowski and Chairman Hoeven -- are fellow appropriators. That gives us multiple ways we can work to ensure that the Senate continues to pursue these important issues. I am hopeful that we can work together to ensure Tribal programs achieve the success these communities deserve.

Mr. Chairman, thank you again for holding this hearing. I look forward to the testimony and thank the witnesses for being here today.

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