We welcomed President Trump’s signature on S.212, the Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act of 2020. Sponsored by Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Chairman John Hoeven (R-ND) and Representative Norma Torres (D-CA) in the House, this bipartisan legislation promotes economic development, boosts entrepreneurship, and improves access to capital in Indian Country by strengthening and reforming existing programs and laws. The bill was signed on Wednesday.
The Indian Community Economic Enhancement will expand, strengthen, and increase access to existing Indian Country business and economic development programs within the federal government by:
- Elevating and funding the Office of Native American Business Development, including reporting directly to the Secretary of Commerce to ensure full operation and promote business and economic development recovery, and promote trade and tourism resumption.
- Expanding application of the Buy Indian Act’s procurement authority.
- Reauthorizing the Native American Programs Act with improvements to the Socio-Economic Development grant programs.
