Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Heather Wilson (R-NM) yesterday asked the U.S. General Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a full investigation into the homeland security needs of Indian Tribes, as well as the ability of Tribal governments to respond to these threats and there impact on state and regional homeland security preparedness. The two lawmakers formally requested the investigation in a letter sent to GAO's Comptroller General, David M. Walker.

On November 22, 2002, President Bush signed into law the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Under the new law, Indian Tribes are defined as "local governments" for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the Act. As a result, Tribes were intended to be included in statewide homeland security plans, and required to obtain funding indirectly though States and local governments.

"Tribal officials have argued, the lack of a direct relationship with the federal government on issues of homeland security have hindered their ability to respond to particular security risks that Indian Tribes face," Wilson and Pallone wrote in their letter to Walker.

According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, there are 35 tribes with jurisdiction over lands adjacent to the Canadian or Mexican borders. These lands comprise over 260 miles of the total 7,400 miles of international borders patrolled by the United States. Many tribes, both on the border and within the interior, also have dams, oil and gas facilities, wastewater utility facilities, and hydroelectric and nuclear power plants either on or near their lands.

"Securing Indian reservations and tribal lands must be a part of our overall goal of securing America," Pallone said. "In order to protect our entire nation we simply cannot exclude Tribal governments from access to the federal funds now being directed to state and local governments. I'm hopeful that a GAO Report can determine whether or not Tribal governments are receiving their fair share of federal homeland security funds, as well as describe the real security needs on Tribal lands so federal lawmakers can address them in the future."

In their request, the two lawmakers specifically asked the GAO to study and issue a report as expeditiously as possible that:

Identifies the various homeland security threats faced by Indian Tribes, and how capable Tribes are to respond to these threats. Of particular interest are the threats/needs faced by Tribes who live along the northern and southern U.S. borders, as well as those tribes that live near critical infrastructure;

Identifies how the particular homeland security needs of Indian Tribes are included in State Homeland Security Preparedness Plans;

Details the amount of federal funds that have been allocated to Indian Tribes for Homeland Security purposes;

Details the costs to Indian Tribes in responding to Homeland Security threats, in the absence of federal funds.