Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and James Lankford (R-OK) introduced new legislation to make Tribal governments eligible to apply for grants under the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP). Currently, Tribal governments are ineligible to apply for funding under DCIP’s grant authority, despite their role in supporting military installations and defense communities nationwide.
“From Joint Base Lewis-McChord to Fairchild Air Force Base and everywhere in between Tribal Nations—like Yakama, Suquamish, and many more—do critical work to support military installations in Washington state and throughout the country,” said Senator Murray. “That’s why this legislation is an important step to expand eligibility to DCIP grants. Tribes play a key role in our military readiness—they should be eligible for these funds just like any other community would be.”
“Oklahoma is home to 39 Tribal Nations, and many of them live and work alongside the men and women who serve at our military installations. When a Tribe is doing work that benefits a military base or post, whether that is roads, utilities, or emergency response, the Tribe should have the same opportunity to apply for federal infrastructure grants as any other local government. This bill is a simple, common-sense fix that recognizes the role Tribes already play in our military readiness,” said Senator Lankford.
Historically, DCIP provides grants to state and local governments for off-base infrastructure that supports military installations. These investments strengthen military readiness and benefit servicemembers and their families by improving transportation, schools, utilities, hospitals, and other essential infrastructure.
Tribal Nations who neighbor military bases are often already doing this work to support critical infrastructure projects that support military communities. This bill would amend the current language to include Tribal governments as eligible, “state and local,” entities to apply for DCIP grants. Reps. Emily Randall (D-WA-06) and Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) lead companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
The full bill text is available HERE.
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