Southeast Montana News

Sen. Steve Daines has urged the White House and federal government to allow for more flexibility when it comes to the funds awarded to the tribes of Montana in the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), according to Daines' website.

This fund, while being helpful to the tribes and other entities from around the country, does put tribes at a certain disadvantage when it comes to deadlines for use of the funds. Daines has sent a letter, containing the following excerpt, to the Treasury Secretary and Chief of Staff:

"While tribes will be able to purchase masks and other short-term life goods before the end of 2020, the requirement that ‘performance or delivery must occur during the covered period’ severely handicaps tribes’ ability to use these funds for some of their most pressing needs in responding to coronavirus and largely defeats the purpose of the fund. Updating the guidance to allow tribes and other CRF eligible entities to complete essential public health infrastructure projects will honor the intent of the CARES Act and address the ongoing needs of communities during the pandemic.”

Daines sent this letter in conjunction with Arizona Sen. Martha McSally, and they hope that it will achieve the desired result of allowing tribes more flexibility when deciding how to allocate the funds.