Inflation Reduction Act fallout: Tribal leaders say Schatz should step down as chair of Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

Tribes wanted $105.5 billion; they're ending up with a very small fraction of that.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, arrives for a vote in the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. (Photo by Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) has become such a cheerleader for the Democratic agenda — at the expense of fighting for transformational and equitable pandemic financial relief for struggling tribes — that he needs to immediately step down from his Indian affairs leadership position, several tribal leaders say.