🌐 How Trump’s ā€œOne Big Beautiful Billā€ Impacts Tribal Nations & TERO Programs

As many of you have likely heard by now, President Trump’s recently signed ā€œOne Big Beautiful Billā€ (OBBB)—celebrated by some as a sweeping reform package—is already raising concerns for Indian Country. For tribal governments, tribal colleges, and especially TERO programs that protect and promote Native employment, the cuts buried in this bill represent one of the most significant funding reversals in recent history. Here’s a breakdown of how this massive bill affects us—and what we must do next.

Samuel Van Noy

7/22/20253 min read

worm's-eye view photography of concrete building
worm's-eye view photography of concrete building

🌐 How Trump’s ā€œOne Big Beautiful Billā€ Impacts Tribal Nations & TERO Programs

By Samuel Van Noy], TERO Director | July 2025

As many of you have likely heard by now, President Trump’s recently signed ā€œOne Big Beautiful Billā€ (OBBB)—celebrated by some as a sweeping reform package—is already raising concerns for Indian Country. For tribal governments, tribal colleges, and especially TERO programs that protect and promote Native employment, the cuts buried in this bill represent one of the most significant funding reversals in recent history.

Here’s a breakdown of how this massive bill affects us—and what we must do next.

🚨 The Big Picture: Major Cuts to Tribal Programs

The bill slashes nearly $1 billion in tribal-related funding. These aren’t abstract numbers—these are direct hits to the systems we’ve built to protect Native jobs, develop Native-owned businesses, and ensure self-determination across Indian Country.

šŸ”» Key Cuts Include:

  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA): Over $700 million cut, including full elimination of the Indian Loan Guarantee Program—a lifeline for tribally owned businesses and TERO-qualified vendors.

  • Bureau of Indian Education (BIE): An unprecedented 90% cut to post-secondary funding for Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).

  • Housing and Infrastructure: A $239 million reduction affecting water access, housing construction, and broadband, cutting deeply into areas where TERO rules ensure Native preference hiring.

  • Energy Programs: Elimination of clean energy tax credits and tribal loan guarantees hinders tribal energy sovereignty and green job expansion.

  • Workforce & Student Aid: Loan restrictions, reduced student supports, and new SNAP/Medicaid work rules will limit access to education and strain tribal social systems.

šŸ”Ø Direct Impacts on TERO Programs

As TERO directors and tribal leaders, we now face hard questions:

1. Less Funding, Fewer Projects

Without infrastructure dollars flowing through BIA or HUD, the number of construction projects where we can enforce TERO ordinances will drop. That means fewer Native hires, less oversight authority, and reduced vendor demand.

2. Weakened Workforce Pipeline

With BIE cuts gutting tribal college funding, we’ll see fewer tribal citizens gaining access to the education and credentials needed to qualify for jobs under tribal hiring preference programs.

3. Loss of Business Capital

The end of the Indian Loan Guarantee Program will make it harder for Native-owned businesses to access financing—especially construction firms and tradespeople certified under TERO.

4. More Pressure, Less Capacity

At the same time our budgets shrink, we’re being asked to do more—filling gaps in law enforcement, workforce tracking, vendor management, and compliance. We must stretch every dollar and relationship we have.

šŸ› ļø What Can Tribal Nations Do?

Now is the time for smart adaptation, unified advocacy, and creative resource-building. Here's a four-part strategy to protect our people and programs:

A. Rebalance and Refocus Budgets

Shift tribal general fund dollars to protect core TERO operations. Prioritize enforcement, certification, and training where they have direct impact on employment.

B. Explore Alternative Funding

Pursue state grants, inter-tribal partnerships, and philanthropic investments. We must start viewing tribal job creation and sovereignty as a shared national interest.

C. Strengthen Local Apprenticeships

In the absence of federal training funds, tribes can build their own credential programs, partnering with community colleges, unions, or elder tradespeople.

D. Speak Up—Loud and United

We need to rally through NCAI, AIHEC, and TERO associations to fight for reinstated funding. Treaty rights demand equitable investment—not elimination.

šŸ’¬ Final Thoughts

This isn’t just a budget cut—it’s a restructuring of how the federal government sees its responsibility to tribal nations. But we’ve seen this before. When doors close, Native people build new ones.

Now is the time to organize, adapt, and rise. TERO is not just about preference—it’s about power, protection, and prosperity. And we will not be silent.

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Let’s protect what we’ve built. Let’s stand together.