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On November 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced a sweeping reorganization, utilizing interagency agreements to move key functions to other federal departments.  This move fulfills President Trump’s campaign promise to close the agency and streamline bureaucracy, but it will directly impact programs that fund and oversee the education of Native children and college students.

ONEIDA, WISCONSIN – In a significant win for Tribal sovereignty and the restoration of Tribal land bases, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin issued a Decision and Order on December 2, 2025 affirming the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) decision to take 499 acres of land into trust for the Oneida Nation under Section 5 of the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA).

Washington, D.C. – The recently enacted FY 2026 Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, H.R. 5371, a part of a larger continuing resolution to fund and reopen the federal government last week, includes a major provision set to dramatically reshape the hemp industry.

Washington, D.C. – The Continuing Resolution and other appropriations bills passed by Congress to end the Federal government shutdown included provisions to prevent further Reductions in Force (RIF) until January 30, 2026.  The bill language states that "no federal funds may be used to initiate, carry out, implement, or otherwise notice a reduction in force to reduce the number of employees within any department, agency, or office of the Federal Government."

Washington, D.C. – On October 29, 2025, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held an oversight hearing focused on the “Impacts of Government Shutdowns and Agency Reductions in Force on Native Communities.”  Witnesses discussed the consequences of potential lapses in funding for critical programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund, and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

On October 29, 2025, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing to examine the Section 106 consultation process under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Chairman Lee opened the hearing commenting that “When a law written to protect our past starts to block our future, it can be worth examining where we are and how we got here.”

The five-week government shutdown shows no signs of resolution as talks in Congress remain frozen. While federal workers are now missing paychecks and effects are felt across Indian Country and the rest of the United States, the Senate is at a standstill.

The five-week government shutdown shows no signs of resolution as talks in Congress remain frozen. While federal workers are now missing paychecks and effects are felt across Indian Country and the rest of the United States, the Senate is at a standstill.

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) have just noticed two critical hearings for Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The ENR Hearing will examine Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The hearing is expected to focus on allegations that Section 106 review of historic and cultural properties is slowing the approval of energy projects. The ENR Hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. in room 366 of

Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed William “Billy” Kirkland as Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs.  The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs assists the Secretary of the Interior in fulfilling the Department of the Interior’s trust responsibilities to Indian Tribes.  The Assistant Secretary is also entrusted with strengthening the vital government-to-government relationship and overseeing the laws and regulations that affect both Tribes and their individual members.

The Federal government officially shut down on Wednesday, October 1, after Congress failed to reach a critical funding deal.  With funding for many federal agencies now lapsed, about 750,000 workers are furloughed. 

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (Roadless Rule), which prohibits road construction, road re-construction, and timber harvesting in roadless areas within 44.7 million acres of National Forest System lands.

On September 8, 2025, the Department of the Interior released a new policy designed to accelerate the approval process for tribal broadband infrastructure projects.  The new policy is focused on streamlining the processing of right-of-way (ROW) applications to build broadband infrastructure.

Skenandore Wilson LLP is proud to announce that Founding Partner Samantha C. Skenandore has been ranked once again in the “2026 Best Lawyers in America®” in the USA-Nationwide rankings for Native American Law!

Skenandore Wilson LLP is thrilled to announce that our Founding Partner, Samantha Skenandore, will be one of the featured speakers at the upcoming Indigenous Business Conference, “Indigenous Biz Con”, on October 13-14, 2025, at Potawatomi Casino – Milwaukee, WI.

On August 1, 2025, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, released draft legislation to significantly improve the well-being and future opportunities for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children and families. 

On July 24, 2025, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Appropriations Bill for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.  The bill is a response to the President’s proposed budget and includes appropriations for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Indian Health Service (IHS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and more.  The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

On July 15, 2025, the House Subcommittee on Interior Appropriations approved its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 bill for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.

On July 17, 2025, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a confirmation hearing for Mr. William “Billy” Kirkland to be the next Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs within the Department of the Interior.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a sweeping domestic policy package focused on tax cuts, border enforcement, and major cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”).