U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., said he worked out an agreement this week on the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act to prevent attempts to remove funding from the Cherokees.

That agreement is to stand at least until September, Boren told the Phoenix in a phone interview.

“I’m trying to convey to the committee that I don’t want funding cut off to one of the largest employers in my district,” Boren said. “I’m not weighing in on the merits of the issue.”

Boren said proponents of removing tribal funding agreed with him the tribal court system should be allowed to complete its review of the Cherokee Freedmen issue before Congressional action is taken against the Cherokees.

“At this point, measures to withhold funding from the entire tribe will also eliminate opportunities and assistance to the Freedmen they seek to help,” Boren said.

Boren said he reminded the committee that a court-ordered stay has re-instated full tribal benefits and rights to the Cherokee Freedmen. If H.R. 2805 were amended to exclude the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, the Cherokee Freedmen would lose the benefits as well, Boren said.

Proponents of eliminating the tribe’s federal recognition and funding have made several recent attempts in committee hearings to amend legislation to exclude funding to the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, he said.

The National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act provides for the construction, rehabilitation and preservation of decent, safe and affordable housing for low-income families, Boren said. According to a formula established under the Act, tribes, states and local jurisdictions receive allocations from the fund each fiscal year.

“Programs like these increase home ownership to an underserved population and are crucial to thousands of citizens in eastern Oklahoma,” Boren said. “With the 10th poorest congressional district in the nation, I am committed to making sure my constituency receives these important opportunities for economic stability.”

The program is a housing program, but it is also legislation trying to allow tribes to expand on economic development, Boren said.

Boren said the amendment cutting out the Cherokee funding had passed by a voice vote. Boren said he voted on the initial bill because it impacted a lot of other tribes in the congressional district, but he did not vote for the amendment.

“The bill is put on hold until the Cherokee Nation issue works itself out,” Boren said.

The same group that offered the amendment to keep funding from the Cherokees are basically offering amendments to every bill in an effort to cut funding for the Cherokee Nation.

The tribal court has said it is going to look into the matter (Freedmen) and rule on it, Boren said.

“In less than a year, we’re going to know,” Boren said. “If the court rules the Freedmen can be reinstated — it also can rule the Freedmen were illegally kicked out.”