The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, H.R. 748, was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The bill is the third COVID-19 legislative package and includes more than $2 billion in relief to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The original introduced version of H.R. 748 (S. 3548) had very few provisions for tribal nations. However, in response to Indian Country’s tireless, unified advocacy, the final legislation included an unprecedented level of investment in and resources for tribal response and recovery efforts.

 

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has posted the following:

1. Summary of the Tribal Provisions in the CARES ACT (the 3rd COVID-19 Congressional package)

2. Summary of the Tribal Provisions in the 1st COVID-19 Congressional package (H.R. 6074 enacted March 6th)

3. Summary of the Tribal Provisions in the 2nd COVID-19 Congressional package (H.R. 6201 enacted March 18th)

4. Key Administrative Updates

5. Letters sent to the Administration

6. Other Federal Funding Information/Resources

 

NCAI has also posted a comprehensive look at Indian Country’s priorities, resources, and information regarding COVID-19 including a series of NCAI Congressional letters

​  Tribal Governance & Housing Letter

• Health, Education, & Nutrition Letter   

• Economic Development and Employment Letter

• Economic Development and Employment FUTA & Fisheries Technical Corrections One-Pager

NCAI has also a COVID-19: Resources for Indian Country webpage to which includes the following:

• General Information

• Professional Organizations

• News Sources

• Federal Agencies

• Other Resources

 

The website of the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs includes COVID-19 legislative updates in both Republican News and Democratic News along with resources such as a summary of the Tribal provisions in the CARES Act and Frequently Asked Questions for Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Tribal Enterprises.

 

The Natural Resources Committee of the United States House of Representatives has developed an online Coronavirus Resource Center which focuses on Coronavirus in Indian Country Resources including Congressional Actions, News about Coronavirus in Indian Country and Resources and Information on Coronavirus in Indian Country such as the following:

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• Center for Disease Control (CDC) Social Distancing for Tribal Communities with Local COVID-19 Transmission

• Indian Health Service Coronavirus Website

• Fact Sheet on Coronavirus In Indian Country

• Coronavirus In Indian Country Infographic

• Coronavirus Tribal Funding Information From The Center for Disease Control and Emergency Supplemental Funding Opportunity announcement 

• Securing Investments for Tribes in Cares Act

• Treasury Launches Web Portal and Begins Disbursement of CARES Act Funding to State, Local, and Tribal Governments

• Resources For Small Businesses

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