Why It Matters

Chenega Corporation, an Alaska Native Village Corporation dependent on federal contracting for shareholder dividends, faces a critical policy challenge. While Congress passed landmark 2025 legislation protecting ANC shareholders from losing federal benefits due to corporate distributions, a broader deregulation push threatens ANCs’ primary revenue source through federal contract reductions and 8(a) program cuts.

Chenega’s engagement of Cornerstone Government Affairs Inc. signals an effort to consolidate recent legislative wins while preparing for fights over federal contracting preferences. The firm’s lobbyists—John D. Sandell, former House Ways and Means Tax Counsel, and Ronald A. Storhaug, former Senate Small Business Committee Tax Director—bring direct expertise in both tax policy and SBA programs ANCs rely on.

By the Numbers

Chenega Corp. paid Cornerstone Government Affairs Inc. $50,000 in the last quarter of 2025 to lobby on tax reform relating to ANCs, adding to its extensive lobbying operation of 183 disclosures since 2003 and approximately $6.5 million in federal advocacy spending.

The corporation recently retained multiple firms: Van Ness Feldman LLP ($130,000), Capitol Hill Policy Group LLC ($100,000), and RBW Group LLC ($115,000).

Cornerstone represents major defense contractors like General Dynamics Corp. and Boeing Co., plus tribal clients including the Cherokee Nation.

The Agenda

Chenega Corporation is lobbying on "legislative issues relating to tax reform and ANCs" through Cornerstone Government Affairs Inc. The engagement focuses on tax treatment of Alaska Native Corporations amid congressional momentum following recent victories like H.R. 42, which excludes Settlement Trust payments from federal benefit calculations.

Congress is actively considering multiple ANCSA-related bills, including the Chugach Alaska Land Exchange Oil Spill Recovery Act, which directly involves Chenega. The Alaska delegation remains vocal in supporting ANC priorities.

Broader Context

Congress delivered two major 2025 victories for ANCs: H.R. 42 excludes ANC Settlement Trust payments from federal assistance calculations, while H.R. 43 returned roughly 11,500 acres to village corporations.

The Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act of 2025 proposes $400 million in tax-exempt bonds specifically for ANCs, with Senator Lisa Murkowski as co-sponsor.

However, ANCs face threats from federal contracting deregulation. ANCs received over $11 billion in federal contracts in 2021, but the SBA cut 43 percent of staff and reduced 8(a) program contracting goals from 15 to five percent.

Between The Lines

The Alaska delegation recently celebrated Senate passage of H.R. 42, directly addressing Chenega’s lobbying focus. Other ANCSA-related bills are advancing, including the Chugach Alaska Land Exchange Oil Spill Recovery Act and the Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act.

Senators Murkowski and Sullivan have consistently supported ANC priorities, creating favorable conditions for tax policy advocacy. Major ANCs including Cook Inlet Region Inc. and Arctic Slope Regional Corp. are also lobbying on ANCSA issues, amplifying the collective industry voice.

Competitive Landscape

Other major ANCs are pursuing similar advocacy efforts. Cook Inlet Region Inc. lobbies on ANCSA issues and federal contracting, while Arctic Slope Regional Corp. focuses on government contracting and NDAA provisions. Ukpeagvik Iñupiat Corp. also advocates on ANCSA matters.

This coordinated industry effort amplifies ANC voices as the unified Alaska delegation prioritizes these issues on Capitol Hill.

The Bottom Line

Chenega’s $50,000 Cornerstone engagement adds specialized tax expertise to its lobbying operation as Congress actively considers multiple ANC-affecting bills. The move reflects both opportunity from legislative momentum and anxiety over federal contracting threats that fund ANC operations.

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