Why It Matters
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma wants to protect tribal sovereignty and economic development amid shifting federal policies and chronic under funding. The Nation’s fourth quarter lobbying agenda—spanning gaming regulation, tax reform, appropriations, and forest co-management—reflects both defensive and offensive strategies. A recent Brookings analysis revealed that 69 percent of Indian Country funding flows through discretionary appropriations, making tribal services uniquely vulnerable to shutdowns. The Nation’s engagement on the Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act represents attempts to secure structural changes that would expand tribal economic parity—addressing gaps between federal commitments and actual funding levels.
By the Numbers
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma spent $90,000 in the fourth quarter on federal lobbying through Holland & Knight LLP, continuing a relationship spanning two decades. The tribe maintains one of Indian Country’s most active federal advocacy portfolios.
The lobbying team includes three Native American affairs specialists: Philip M. Baker-Shenk, who has represented the Choctaw Nation across 70 disclosures since 2005; James T. Meggesto, who joined in 2023; and Kenneth W. Parsons, who came aboard in 2021.
Holland & Knight remains the Nation’s core strategic partner, with 76 disclosures since 2005. The Nation also retained Hogan Lovells US LLP and Artemis Group LLC starting in 2024 for aviation and aerospace matters.
The Agenda
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is lobbying on a broad range of federal Indian policy issues during the fourth quarter 2025:
- Federal appropriations and government funding for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service
- Tribal economic development and tax policy, particularly the Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act of 2025, which would grant tribes tax parity with state and local governments
- Gaming regulation, including the Tribal Gaming Regulatory Compliance Act
- Federal land co-management, aligning with the Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act of 2025
- Treasury Office of Native Affairs operations and tax guidance
- Federal Indian policy broadly, including the Lumbee Fairness Act
Broader Context
Congress is moving forward with several bills directly affecting the Nation’s interests. The Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act of 2025, introduced by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Lisa Murkowski, would allow tribes to issue tax-exempt bonds—directly aligning with the Nation’s tax guidance lobbying.
Gaming regulation remains contested. An ongoing dispute in Oklahoma between the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band over gaming rights has exposed vulnerabilities to legislative action targeting tribal sovereignty.
Federal appropriations face structural challenges. A bipartisan letter from 111 Members of Congress raised "grave concern" over funding freezes at the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service. The Trump administration’s reversal of Biden-era tribal sovereignty orders has introduced policy uncertainty.
Between The Lines
Congress is actively legislating on nearly every issue the Nation is lobbying on. The tax reform bill has bipartisan support, while gaming regulation carries heightened stakes after Senator Markwayne Mullin was accused of proposing language that would strip gaming rights from the United Keetoowah Band.
On forest management, House Natural Resources Committee Democrats introduced the co-management bill to make tribes equal partners in managing forests with historical ties.
Competitive Landscape
Holland & Knight LLP simultaneously represents other major tribal clients including the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians and Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community—creating a coordinated network of tribal advocacy.
Lobbyist Philip M. Baker-Shenk also represents the Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa Indians on overlapping issues, facilitating tribal coalition-building on federal Indian policy matters.
The Bottom Line
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma continues its standard tribal lobbying strategy, addressing appropriations funding, gaming regulatory uncertainty, and emerging opportunities in tax reform legislation. This reflects a two-decade partnership between the Nation and Holland & Knight on core tribal sovereignty and economic development priorities.
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