WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema today met with the newly elected Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer to discuss priorities of the Navajo Nation and Arizona’s tribal communities.
“I am partnering with President Nez and Vice President Lizer to ensure the Navajo Nation’s tribal sovereignty is respected and that we’re creating jobs in tribal communities,” said Sinema.
Throughout her time in Congress, Sinema has worked across the aisle to deliver results for the Navajo Nation. One of her first victories in Congress was leading the successful fight to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. Working with members of both parties, she ensured the renewal included provisions that gave tribal governments new tools to protect women. As the Violence Against Women Act nears its expiration date this month, Sinema is working across the aisle to guarantee renewal. Additionally, Sinema worked with Republican Congressman Andy Biggs to introduce and pass a law to bring the AMBER Alert system to the Navajo Nation and all tribal communities.
Sinema has also has routinely worked across the aisle to support Impact Aid, and last year she helped secure $86 million in increased Impact Aid funding. Impact Aid provides critical funding to schools on tribal land. Arizona receives the most Impact Aid funding in the country, and for many tribal school districts, it totals more than half of their overall funding. The funding builds and maintains public schools, pays our teachers, and ensures Native children have opportunities to succeed.
