Brookings report warns tribes could lose $1.5B under ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

Tribes could lose $1.5 billion in climate funding previously authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 due to cuts related to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to a recent ICT article that cites a Feb. 5 report from the Brookings Institution. The report found that while $4.2 billion was projected for Indian Country, about $2 billion had been dispersed by the end of fiscal year 2025. Researchers said the remaining $1.5 billion is unlikely to reach tribes.

The report also outlines potential barriers to SNAP and Medicaid access, despite exemptions for Native people, according to the National Council of Urban Indian Health. Researchers Robert Maxim and Glencora Haskins said state verification systems may not reflect tribal enrollment data, potentially placing documentation burdens on individuals seeking benefits.