Two bills recently introduced in the United States House of Representatives are in urgent need of your attention as they have the potential to cause critical, detrimental impact on the lives of Native Americans who currently receive services through the workforce system. They are the “Streamlining Workforce Development Programs Act of 2011" (H.R. 3610) introduced by Representative Foxx and the “Local Job Opportunities and Business Success Act of 2011" (H.R. 3611) introduced by Representative Heck. We strongly encourage you to work to insure that neither of these bills pass through Committee.

Indian and Native American employment and training programs have a long history of successes providing critical services to clients needing support as they strive for self-sufficiency by gaining the training and work experience they so desperately need. The programs also have played an important part in helping to improve the circumstances and situations of Indian and Native American communities.

These programs date back to the early days of manpower programs. They were authorized with the understanding that American Indian tribes are sovereign nations that have a unique trust relationship with the United States government. The Indian and Native American programs funded through the employment and training system were funded to provide support and services to individuals who otherwise would not access the mainstream employment and training programs, whether due to remoteness or cultural considerations.

The proposed bills would eliminate all employment and training funding for Indian and Native American grantees receiving funding under the Workforce Investment Act as well as Native Employment Works Program funding. All workforce investment system funding would be distributed to states to be administered by the governors. Indian and Native American programs would not be guaranteed funding to provide the crucial services needed by clients to maintain their connection with the workforce. In addition, H.R. 3610 would cause up to 1,000 Indian and Native American workforce professionals to be forced on to the unemployment rolls.

We urge you to take action to defeat these proposed bills as they are considered in Committee. The lives of millions are at stake in this issue. It is imperative that strong Native American workforce programs, uniquely adapted to the status and circumstances of Native people and communities, continue in their missions to improve the lives of their clients and communities.