On March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act was signed into law, setting in motion the distribution of funds and other relief mechanisms to counteract the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

The legislation contains several provisions to address the unique and disproportionate impacts of the pandemic in Indian Country. These involve a number of measures that include American Indian tribes within the range of entities eligible for relief (e.g., the $454 billion of authorized spending by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for loans, loan guarantees, and other investments to benefit distressed businesses, states, municipalities and tribal nations).

Originally published in Law360 - April 17, 2020.