Tribes

Our state is home to 29 federally recognized tribes, each with its own history and culture. These tribes play an important role in Washington state’s economy and culture by creating jobs, supporting development and building community programs.

I am proud to be a voice in the United States Senate for Washington state tribal governments and tribal people. I firmly believe we have a responsibility to live up to the promises the U.S. government made in return for the land and resources all of us enjoy today. That means working to meet our tribes’ health care, education, transportation and other needs.  

As a member of the both the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committees, I have worked hard to increase important federal resources for tribal communities in Washington state and across the country.

Priorities

  • Safeguarding the sovereignty of tribal governments and the government-to-government relationship with the United States.
  • Upholding the federal government’s trust responsibility and treaty obligations.
  • Promoting economic development in tribal communities.
  • Ensuring tribes have equal access to federal grant programs and other services.
  • Increasing funding for treaty-guaranteed services, such as education and health care.

Accomplishments

  • Cosponsored and helped pass in the Senate the reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
  • Increased funding for tribal communities, especially in critical areas such as health care, education, transportation and infrastructure.
  • Helped draft and passed into law improvements to the tribal components of the Head Start reauthorization.