On November 25, the U.S. Senate released its fiscal year 2026 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Act bill, which plans to allocate $28 million for the Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program. However, the proposed allocation is $7 million short of what the National Congress of American Indians voted to uphold just four days earlier.
During the annual convening of NCAI, a resolution was passed calling for Congress and the White House to protect the treasury department’s CDFI institutions fund, including the NACA program from termination and staffing cuts.
The NACA program, created in 2001, extends credit to tribal citizens who historically have not had the access to capital for homes, cars and small businesses, according to Josh Gabel, citizen of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe and the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) economic committee co-chair. The program has provided more than $221 million in support since its inception, according to Tribal Business News, generating over $1.6 billion in loans and investments across Native communities through 2021.
Gabel said the approval of the resolution is uniting NCAI’s collective sovereignty to call on those who can make a difference to listen to the collective power of the Native nations in NCAI.
“We’re calling on those that are responsible to do the right thing and keep the program intact,” Gabel said.
CDFI funding provides critical capital to 69 Native-certified lenders serving tribal communities nationwide, including the Pacific Northwest. According to the resolution, which was carried from an October 2025 gathering of the ATNI, for every $1 amount Native CDFIs secure in federal investments, $8 is generated into private sector investments.
Gabel, who serves on the Snoqualmie tribal council as treasurer, said the resolution will be used to notify treasury, congressional representatives, the secretary overseeing treasury and any other key stakeholders in the administration to NCAI’s desire to see this program stay intact.
During the first general assembly meeting at the annual NCAI convening in Seattle, WA, U.S. Treasurer Brand Beach said President Trump wants to see a “prosperous” Indian Country.
“We want to continue this working relationship to secure economic prosperity for the Native American community,” Beach said.
During his speech, treasurer Brandon Beach also discussed creating and maintaining tools for economic growth.
“We want to make sure you have the tools in your toolbox to be successful when it comes to economic prosperity,” Beach said. “I want you to know that we have an open door policy. I’m available.”
As ramifications from the government shutdown continue to be an issue, Gabel hopes, and expects, a final decision about Native Certified CDFI funding to be made so they can continue to provide critical services, such as non-predatory home and auto loans.
Now that the Senate has proposed the bill, according to Gabel it’s headed back to the House for approval. If approved, Gabel said the 20% reduction in funding can lead to staffing losses.
It’s a matter of upholding trust responsibilities, Gabel added, reflecting on the government’s duty to fully fund Native CDFIs.
“We ceded almost 2 billion acres of lands,” Gabel said, “we already prepaid for the funding that we get from the federal government.”
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