New Mexico Sen. Luján: Trump administration blocking nearly $316 billion for tribes
A day after questioning the impacts of potential cuts to early childhood, maternal health and other programs for Indigenous people during a meeting of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, the New Mexico Democrat on Thursday blasted the administration of Republican President Donald Trump.
'The Trump administration is illegally withholding hundreds of billions of dollars owed to communities across the country — including nearly
$316 billion owed to Native communities — just to hand out more tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and corporate interests,' Luján, a member of the committee, said in a statement.
Luján called the matter a 'profound betrayal' and 'shameful failure' of the federal government's responsibility to tribes and said, 'This reckless decision puts the well-being and safety of New Mexicans and tribal nations at risk.'
Aaron Lopez, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department, also expressed concern over new federal policies that will disrupt services and programs for Native Americans in New Mexico's 23 tribes, impacting education, health care, infrastructure and economic development.
'The New Mexico Indian Affairs Department and the State are keeping a close eye on federal actions that could adversely affect Indian Country,' Lopez said in a statement.
The department will continue to work closely with New Mexico's congressional delegation to advocate for Indigenous people in the state, he added.
Luján's pointed statement, based on a tracker of federal funds compiled by the Democratic staffs of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, comes as Democrats continue to assail Trump and his administration amid a vast array of federal funding cuts, planned or otherwise, in Trump's first 100 days in office.
Luján and other members of New Mexico's all-Democratic congressional delegation have been raising concerns about the cuts and how they affect regular New Mexicans since Trump took office.
In February, Luján and 110 other members of Congress, including U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury and U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, New Mexico's senior senator, signed a letter to Trump and other high-ranking members of his administration asking the president to 'immediately halt and reverse the harmful impacts of executive actions' impacting programs for Indigenous people.
During Wednesday's Senate Indian Affairs Committee, which held a hearing to examine federal programs under the purview of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that serve Native Americans, Luján questioned the Trump administration's commitment to Indigenous communities.
'I want to point out what a disappointment I believe this administration has been to the Indian Health Service,' he said, adding Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. missed an opportunity during his recent visit to Gallup in northwestern New Mexico to stop at one of the oldest Indian Health Service centers and see firsthand the staffing cuts, water issues and other problems impacting Native patients and providers.
'The way that I was raised is you make time for what's important,' Luján said, 'and he didn't make time.'
The Health and Human Services Department did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Luján also questioned witnesses about cuts to early childhood and maternal health programs.
'We all care greatly for Native American mothers and babies, which is why I'm outraged by the fact that 92% of Native American women that die from pregnancy-related deaths are considered preventable,' he said. 'Just let that sit for a second and that the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] has seen a 20% reduction in staffing, leaving more vulnerabilities out there.'
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