releases: https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-criticizes-circuit-court-ruling-against-native-corporations
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-criticizes-circuit-court-ruling-against-native-corporations | Alaska Delegation Criticizes Circuit Court Ruling Against Native Corporations | 2020-09-25 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | legacy | 09.25.20 Alaska Delegation Criticizes Circuit Court Ruling Against Native Corporations U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) today commented on a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit determining Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) are ineligible for tribal assistance appropriated by theCoronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The ruling overturns an earlier June 26 ruling by a U.S. District Court that concluded ANCs are eligible for the aid. We strongly disagree with the D.C. Circuit Court's decision today on the status of Alaska Nativepeopleunder the law,thedelegation said. TheCARES ActCoronavirus Relief Fund tribal set-aside was created to provide pandemic relieffor allAmerican Indian and Alaska Native people, regardless of how they receive the relief. It is unconscionable that COVID-19 aid would be withheld from a subset of Alaska Native people simply because of theuniquetribal system that exists in Alaska. Furthermore, this decision goes beyond the CARES Act, erasing more than 45 years of precedent and practice, with the potential to undo the tribal systems of health care, housing, education, workforce development, and more in our great state. Timeline: -On March 27, theCARES Actwas signed into law, including an $8 billion set-aside for tribal governments. -On April 14, the Alaska congressional delegation wrote to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt detailing the unique legal framework and circumstances for tribal entities in Alaska. The letter provided a historical background on Alaska regional corporations, which are made eligible forCARES Actassistance because of the definition of Indian tribe used in the bill. -In April, several tribes filed lawsuits to preventCARES Actfunds from being distributedtoANCs. -On April 23, the delegation submitted an op-ed to theAnchorage Daily Newsto correct the mischaracterizations about ANCs and explain why the entities are eligible forCARES Actfunds. -On June 26, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled ANCs are eligible for the aid. Judge Mehta based his decision on the definition of Indian tribe provided by the 1975Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act and used in the CARES Act, which included ANCs. Related Issues: Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska, COVID-19 Resource Page Print Email Tweet | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |