Indian Caucus Urges Daines to Hold Off on Filling Supreme Court Vacancy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Indian Caucus Urges Daines to Hold Off on Filling Supreme Court Vacancy

Helena, MT – Yesterday, the Montana Legislature’s Indian Caucus sent a letter to Senator Steve Daines “strongly oppos[ing] the filling of this vacant seat prior to the next U.S. presidential inauguration.” This comes as Daines is trying to rush through a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court which could have devastating implications for tribal communities’ access to health care.

Leaders in Indian Country have been “pleading” that the Affordable Care Act stay in place – noting that a repeal of the law “would devastate health care in Indian Country” and “worsen the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.” If the ACA is overturned, it would jeopardize Montana’s Medicaid expansion – which has provided tribal citizens with “improved preventative care and education to help alleviate conditions like diabetes and heart disease.”

Yet, Daines is plowing ahead with efforts to sabotage the health care law which serves as a vital lifeline for Indian Country.

“The COVID-19 crisis has been devastating for much of Indian Country, yet Steve Daines wants to strip away the law providing critical health care protections when they need it most,” said MDP Communications Advisor Christina Wilkes. “Instead of looking out for the best interests of Indian Country, Daines is only looking out for himself.”

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