WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) and Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) have introduced bipartisan legislation to improve tribal access to economic development programs available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to a joint press release from the legislators.

“Tribal communities in the State of Washington are economic engines that generate jobs and prosperity. To keep these engines running strong, tribes need to invest in water systems, energy production, broadband infrastructure, and economic development. The REACH Act will make it easier for tribes — especially those in rural areas — to access programs that can help secure these investments so that tribal communities can see their businesses and job opportunities grow,” Cantwell said in the release.

According to the release, the REACH Act — an acronym for Rural Economic Development Assistance and Consultation to Help Our Tribes Act — would require the USDA to establish formal budgetary consultation processes for the annual budget and farm bills, require the USDA to analyze, estimate and report obligations made to indigenous entities; mandate that the USDA work with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Economic Development Administration to streamline application requirements for economic development programs for all applicants and make the U.S. Department of Commerce establish a public comprehensive listing of economic development programs available to tribes.

The bipartisan legislation is cosponsored by Senators Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) and Steve Daines (R-Montana). 

“Native American communities are an integral part of South Dakota,” said Rounds. “It is crucial those communities have the resources necessary to thrive for future generations. I am pleased to introduce this bipartisan legislation to improve tribal access to federal economic development programs.”