January 2024 NCSEA CSQ

Preparing the remarks because it is so hard to explain a
complicated issue like this, knowing you have to be brief and
concise in your written testimony and only get five minutes to
testify. Getting down to five minutes was much harder than I imagined.
The Q&A was easier by comparison.
Easily it was delivering the prepared remarks. I started to have a
bit of a panic attack as everything first got underway. Once I
convinced myself that all I had to do was read, I breathed a little
and began to calm down. I think the whole experience was probably
easier than I imagined. When I began speaking, and following the lead
of the other amazing people with whom I was so fortunate to be able to
work that day, it became easier. There may have even been a covert fist
bump under the table, and it really did become kind of fun.
When you look back on that day, what are a few things that stick in
your mind?
I enjoyed reconnecting with hill staff, reuniting with long-time
colleagues, and meeting Marley Corbine, who gave
Congressional Members a clear-eyed view of how withholding
FTI access has harmed tribal families. I especially appreciated Rep.
Gwen Moore’s emphasis on the importance of providing tribal parity for
direct tax offset authority. I also appreciated the bipartisan atmosphere
of the hearing and happily greeted Committee Members, including
Minority Leader Danny Davis and Rep. Moore, both of whom have such
long legislative records of supporting families.
"My career started on Capitol Hill... felt a little like I had
come full circle. As nervous as I was... the warm support
from colleagues before and after the hearing was amazing."
- Jim Fleming
It was a day full of reflection. My career started on Capitol Hill in
August 1989, so it felt a little like I had come full circle. My late
dad and uncle loved politics and probably would have flown out
with me – they were certainly there in spirit. As nervous as I was about