Rounds Talks Tribal Radio Funding with Interior Secretary at Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today discussed funding for tribal radio stations with Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. In a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, Burgum reiterated the importance of these radio stations for tribal populations.

"I was glad to see that the Bureau of Indian Affairs' FY27 budget request does support funding for tribally operated or affiliated radio stations in Indian country," said Rounds. "Can you share just how important it is for these tribal radio stations to continue to be funded?"

"I think as anybody who's spent time in Indian country in states like ours in the West, Senator, know that landlines are not a thing in many parts of the rural residence," said Burgum. "Cell service is often sketchy, even though some of the tribes do run their own cellular programs."

"Radio is often sometimes the only way people can reach information, whether it's winter storms or tornadoes, prairie fires," continued Burgum. "I mean, there's real need for emergency information to be distributed to a population. I know that the tribal chairs and tribal councils all count on this for getting information out, not just about emergencies but about events going on in the community and about important things that tribal members need to know. So, again, thank you for being such a strong champion of this important program."

Rounds has been a champion for tribal radio funding. In July 2025, Rounds secured tribal radio funding for FY26 after it was proposed for elimination in a rescissions package.

Watch the exchange HERE. Read a transcript of the exchange on tribal radio below.

Rounds also asked Secretary Burgum questions about constructing a new school on the Cheyenne River reservation and tribal law enforcement funding. Watch the full exchange HERE.

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Rounds: I was glad to see that the Bureau of Indian Affairs' FY27 budget request does support funding for tribally operated or affiliated radio stations in Indian country. The role of these stations play a critical role in providing essential and emergency information to tribal communities. We worked on this last year. OMB came through, put the resources together for us. It's about - I mean, it's a lot of money. Can you share just how important it is for these tribal radio stations to continue to be funded?

Burgum: I think as anybody who's spent time in Indian country in states like ours in the West, Senator, know that landlines are not a thing in many parts of the rural residence. Cell service is often sketchy, even though some of the tribes do run their own cellular programs. Radio is often sometimes the only way people can reach information, whether it's winter storms or tornadoes, prairie fires. I mean, there's real need for emergency information to be distributed to a population. I know that the tribal chairs and tribal councils all count on this for getting information out, not just about emergencies but about events going on in the community and about important things that tribal members need to know. So, again, thank you for being such a strong champion of this important program.

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