NAHASDA NEEDS TO BE REAUTHORIZED

On 2026-04-23, Representative Troy Downing (R-MT-2) delivered a floor speech titled "NAHASDA NEEDS TO BE REAUTHORIZED" in the House. The speech addressed trade policy and also covered housing.

NAHASDA NEEDS TO BE REAUTHORIZED

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 72 (Thursday, April 23, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 72 (Thursday, April 23, 2026)] [House] [Page H3080] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] NAHASDA NEEDS TO BE REAUTHORIZED (Mr. DOWNING asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. DOWNING. Mr. Speaker, as the House and Senate debate over housing legislation, I fear that one community is being left behind. Those are our tribes. Thirty years ago, Congress passed a landmark Tribal housing law known as NAHASDA, which created the Indian Housing Block Grant program to promote self-determination. Unfortunately, Congress has not updated this law since 2008 and has allowed its authorization to lapse after 2013. This is simply not acceptable. HUD Secretary Scott Turner said it best: NAHASDA works and needs to be reauthorized. I introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act to eliminate red tape in Indian Country and further incentivize private financing. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation because it is Congress' responsibility to address the housing needs of all Americans. ____________________