Amelia Schafer
ICT
Just 77 days ago, the United States government reopened after the longest shutdown in history. Now, nearing the end of January, the government is heading for a partial shutdown unless the U.S. Senate approves a new continuing resolution.
The existing current continuing resolution funding the government will end on Jan. 30.
However, due to previous provisions and bills passed, major programs servicing Indian Country will see little to no impact at all. The Indian Health Service, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Education will remain funded.
“With the Interior budget passed we should be okay,” said OJ Semans, Sicangu Lakota and the executive director of the Coalition of Large Tribes. “But because of [Health and Human Services] not having a budget approved we are concerned with [the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration] & [Administration for Children and Families].”
The two programs function separately from IHS, but do provide aid to Indigenous families and Native nations.
One of the main hiccups in passing a new continuing resolution stems from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security where funding will lapse on Jan. 30.
The department and its secretary, Kristi Noem, have recently come under fire for actions taken during a surge of federal immigration agents to the Twin Cities area in Minnesota.
Two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were shot and killed by immigration enforcement agents in Minneapolis during the recent ongoing immigration crackdown.
In addition to shooting deaths in Minneapolis, dozens of U.S. citizens, including a handful of Native American individuals living in the Minneapolis area, have been detained by immigration agents during the surge.
In response, congressional Democrats have withdrawn support for the Homeland Security department’s portion of the funding package, requesting it be removed for separate negotiations while the other five bills are approved.
At the direction of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Democrats plan to without their votes from any funding package which includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement until the department is able to gain control over the abuses going on in Minneapolis.
Other departments requiring funding include the Departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services (excluding IHS), Education, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, State and Treasury, as well as various other related agencies.
The BIA and BIE, both housed in the Department of Interior, have already received forward funding and will operate as usual, according to a National Indian Health Board press release.
If a shutdown is to occur, Indigenous people working for these federal agencies will go without a paycheck until the shutdown ends.
A potential shutdown could impact tax season, and the Internal Revenue Service has not yet issued a contingency plan. However, it’s unlikely that refunds would be delayed past 21 days of the filing.
SNAP, commodities and health care to continue operations
Several programs will continue, interrupted, if the government does shut down Friday including IHS.
Congress passed the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act on Jan. 26 which included provisions to continue funding IHS, BIA and BIE.
While still approved, the legislation did very minorly decrease annual funding to IHS, approving only $8.05 billion for the year. The program was given $8.2 billion in funding for the 2025 fiscal year.
The legislation did include $5.31 billion in advance appropriations for Fiscal Year 2027, “a historic and critical inclusion for the future,” according to the National Indian Health Board.
Funding for programs like SNAP and in general the United States Department of Agriculture (which oversees the Food Distribution on Indian Reservations Program), will continue thanks to regular appropriations passed when ending the last, most recent shutdown on Nov. 12.
Funding will also continue for military construction, Veteran Affairs and Congress itself.
Tension in Minnesota and looming shutdown may crack ICE’s presence
Even if the government shuts down, the Homeland Security department will not be without funding.
The department is able to draw down funds it was awarded from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. However, lawmakers have requested updates on where that money is going. The Big Beautiful Bill provided $190 billion in funding to the department.
Among the Minnesota chaos, Trump has indicated intent to scale back operations in the state, according to Reuters.
Several news outlets have also reported that Gregory Bovino, border patrol “commander at large” was fired earlier this week following the shooting death of Alex Pretti.
Trump told reporters at a recent press conference in Iowa that he will not be firing Noem, though articles of impeachment have been filed against her from the U.S. House Rep. Robin Kelly of Illinois.
Noem previously served as governor of South Dakota prior to her appointment to the Homeland Security department. While serving as governor, Noem was banned by all nine Oceti Sakowin nations in South Dakota in 2024 following allegations of tribal leaders working with the Mexican cartel.