A federal judge issued an injunction that prevents Alaska Native corporations from receiving part of a Tribal funding set-aside in the CARES Act.
The decision came Tuesday, July 7, 2020, as Tribal nations appeal a ruling in late June that said the Native corporations were eligible to receive the funding.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta had ruled against several Tribes in the Lower 48 and Alaska. They sued the Department of Treasury and Interior over the eligibility of Alaska Native corporations to receive a portion of about $8 billion.
The decision hinged on whether Alaska Native corporations could be considered Tribal governments in relation to the funding. Though he wrestled with his decision, Mehta ultimately ruled that they could.
The injunction Tuesday paves the way for Tribes to pursue an appeal in the case. But only gives them until July 14 to do so. After that, the injunction expires July 15.
