House and Senate Take Actions to Reject President’s FY 2027 Proposed Cuts to Indian Affairs

5/27/2026

WASHINGTON, D.C.   –  Last week, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies (Subcommittee) approved its Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 appropriations bill.  The bill includes funding for Indian Affairs programs, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and the Indian Health Service (IHS).  Overall, the Subcommittee rejected the dramatic cuts proposed by the President for FY 2027.

Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a tense hearing where lawmakers from both parties sharply questioned Administration officials on the President’s proposed cuts to Indian Affairs programs.  Testifying for the Administration were Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs William “Billy” Kirkland and Indian Health Service Chief of Staff Clayton Fulton.  The President has not yet nominated an Indian Health Service Director.  

Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) began the hearing by calling out the Administration for proposing to cut Indian Affairs funding by more than one-third and eliminating some critical programs.  Vice Chairman Brian Schatz (D-HI) warned that, if enacted, the President’s proposed budget would underfund Treaty and Trust responsibilities and result in less Tribal self-determination, law enforcement officers, and support for critical infrastructure.  The hearing can be viewed here.

Congressional funding bills start in the House, and the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee took significant steps to maintain funding for Indian Affairs programs.  Appropriations Committee Chairman, Tom Cole (R-OK), who has been a strong advocate for Indian Country funding, joined the Subcommittee in approving this funding package.   The House bill includes $3.21 billion in total funding for the BIA.  This is about $1.4 billion more than was requested by the President and an increase over FY 2026 funding enacted by Congress.  

One of the most significant increases in the bill compared to FY 2026 was for law enforcement.  The bill includes $775 million for Tribal Public Safety and Justice programs to combat drug trafficking and violent crime.  This is a 36 percent increase over FY 2026 and $215 million more than the amount requested by the President.

The House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee is also seeking increases for the BIE.  The Subcommittee bill includes $1.55 billion for overall BIE funding in FY 2027.  This is $617 million more than the President’s proposed budget and $181.6 million more than the FY 2026 enacted amount.

The House Subcommittee bill includes $8.69 billion for the IHS, which is an increase of $639.8 million above the FY 2026 enacted level.  The amount approved by the Subcommittee is actually $41 million lower than the President’s proposed budget, but the Subcommittee’s bill is more focused on the core mission of IHS and includes funding for sanitation facilities construction to deliver clean water to Tribal communities.  

Tribes are encouraged to stay in contact with their Congressional Delegations to prevent the President’s FY 2027 cuts and advocate for needed funding increases.

Skenandore Wilson LLP is dedicated to the representation of Tribal Nations, Tribal entities, and individual Tribal members throughout Indian Country.  Our mission is to support and advance the sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and self-governance of our Tribal clients.  To learn more about how we can assist you, contact us at info@skenandorewilson.com or 608-608-1210.