Hearing of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee - Opening Statement of Sen. Udall, Hearing on Business Meeting to Consider S. 458, S. 691, & S.1116

Hearing

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for scheduling this business meeting.

Today, we will consider S. 458, the Native Educator Support and Training Act. Senator Tester's bill, which I cosponsored, addresses the current teacher shortage in BIE schools and public schools that serve tribal communities in a number of ways by providing scholarships, by forgiving student loans, and by supporting professional development.

This bill builds on professional workforce models that Tribes have asked Congress to champion -- programs that embrace a "Home Grown" approach by investing in advanced training for Tribal members.

Tribes know that supporting Native educator development not only ensures Tribal classrooms will be fully staffed now and in the future, but also increases the overall levels of Tribal self-determination in education.

So, I want to extend my thanks to Senators Tester and Franken for joining together with me to advance this bill.

I also want to thank Senator Tester for working with me on the amendment I've offered today that addresses another area I am committed to -- early childhood education. This amendment expands the scholarship programs authorized by S. 458 to include pre-school educators. It ensures that Native children are school-ready and provides working Native parents with more safe and healthy childcare options.

I look forward to building on the success this bill had last Congress -- when it received a legislative hearing and was voted favorably out of this committee. I urge my colleagues to continue their support for Native education and once again vote in favor of this bill.

We also have two other bills to consider today. S. 691, the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2017, which would establish a government-to-government relationship between the United States and six Tribes in Virginia. This bill was reported out of this committee last Congress and I hope that, together, we can get this bill to the Senate floor for consideration and passage.

The final item on the agenda, Mr. Chairman, is your economic development bill, S.1116, the Indian Communities Economic Enhancement Act. You and I both know that Congress has an important role in helping Tribes grow their economies. Both S. 1116 and my bill, S. 607, intend to do just that, so I would like to work with you get our complementary bills enacted into law.

Thank you Chairman Hoeven for scheduling these votes.

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