OKLAHOMA CITY — Congress has been anything but tranquil as Democrats and Republicans have rushed to cast blame upon each other and have failed to pass even bipartisan measures. On Wednesday, the House Rules Committee declined to pass an amendment authored by Rep. Markwayne Mullin, R-Westville, to fund the Indian Health Service during the shutdown. Democrats said the amendment was received late and was not vetted.
“This is a big problem that, frankly, we ought to find a way to deal with,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, who co-sponsored the Mullin legislation. “This isn't the appropriate way or the appropriate vehicle, I certainly understand that, but we want to keep our focus and get this (IHS funding) out of politics.”
The House could still consider Mullin's legislation, which is co-sponsored by several Democrats, including Rep. Kendra Horn of Oklahoma City. Cole, who is a Chickasaw Nation member, said the federal government “will have a lot of lawsuits” because it is not fulfilling its treaty obligations to tribes during the shutdown.
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
