Abstract: If Congress does not replace or avert the sequester scheduled for March 1, 2013, forced spending cuts will undermine the trust, treaty, and statutory obligations to tribal governments that are funded in the federal budget. Not only would it sacrifice the federal trust responsibility to tribes, but it would thwart tribes’ ability to promote economic growth or plan for the benefit of future generations. The Office of Management and Budget estimates the effective percentage reduction will be approximately nine percent for non-defense programs because the reduction will be implemented over the remaining seven months of the fiscal year (FY).
