Committee on Indian Affairs to Hold Business Meeting & IHS Director Nomination

By Native News Online Staff - December 10, 2019 at 12:00AM

Rear Admiral Weahkee was nominated by President Trump in late October 2019.

Published December 10, 2019

WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at 2:30 EST, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hold a business meeting to consider:

•         S. 1853, the BADGES for Native Communities Act; and
•        S. 2365, the Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act of 2019.

The Committee business meeting will be immediately followed by a nomination hearing to consider:

• Rear Admiral Michael D. Weahkee, of New Mexico, to serve as Director of the Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Two months ago, President Donald Trump nominated Michael D. Weahkee, an enrolled citizen of the Zuni Indian Tribe, to the post of Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS). The IHS provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for American Indians and Alaska Natives in 37 states in Indian Country.

Nominated by the president of the United States, the director of the IHS is confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The agency has not had a permanent director since 2015. In October 2017, President Trump nominted Robert Weaver (Quapaw) to lead the agency, but was asked by the White House to withdraw his name for consideration after the Wall Street Journal wrote an article questioning the strength of Weaver’s resume.

Rear Admiral Weahkee has served as Principal Deputy Director and Acting Director of IHS during the interim and also as Assistant Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Services at the Department of Health and Human Services.

DETAILS:

WHAT:        A Committee business meeting to consider S. 1853 and S. 2365, followed by a nomination hearing, to consider RADM Michael D. Weahkee, of New Mexico, to serve as Director of the Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

WHEN:        2:30 PM EST, Wednesday, December 11, 2019

WHERE:      628 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Live video for the business meeting and nomination hearing will be provided here.

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