FMCS | 250 E Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20427 | 202-606-8100 | www.fmcs.gov

NEWS RELEASE

Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Contact: Greg Raelson

For Immediate Release Office of Congressional & Public Affairs

Website: www.fmcs.gov Phone: (202) 606-8081

FMCS Statement on the U.S. Department of Transportation 

Historic Rule Establishing Tribal Transportation SelfGovernance Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) congratulates the U.S. 

Department of Transportation (DOT) and the 574 federally-recognized Native American Tribes 

represented in negotiating the final rule establishing the Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program 

(TTSGP) at DOT. 

According to the rule summary published by DOT in the Federal Registry, “The Program will afford Tribes 

participating in the Program greater control and decision-making authority over their use of certain DOT 

funding for which they are eligible recipients while reducing administrative burdens. These regulations 

include eligibility criteria, describe the contents of and process for negotiating self-governance compacts 

and funding agreements with the Department, and set forth the roles and responsibilities of and 

limitations on the Department and Tribes that participate in the Program.”

FMCS Chief Strategy Officer Joshua Flax and Strategic Coordinator Moira Caruso served as mediators 

and consultants for the TTSGP Negotiating Committee and its technical advisors from September 2018

through the publication of the rule on June 1, 2020.

“The dedication, commitment and perseverance exhibited by both Tribal and DOT representatives on 

the TTSGP Negotiating Committee was a shining example of Tribal-Federal cooperation in service of 

transportation infrastructure improvement across Indian Country,” said Flax. “Their skill as negotiators 

and as advocates created the foundation for a balanced, inclusive and patient negotiation process that 

yielded this successful result. It was a great honor and privilege for FMCS to work alongside them in 

service of this new program and the benefits it will offer to sovereign Tribal nations across the country.”

DOT issued a press release on the historic rule today.

 

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The U.S. Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service (FMCS) is the nation’s premier public agency for 

dispute resolution and conflict management. FMCS was created by Congress as a neutral and 

independent government agency upon enactment of the Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947 (TaftHartley Act) and mandated to resolve industrial conflict and promote labor-management peace and 

cooperation, minimizing the impact of these disputes on the free flow of commerce. With headquarters 
FMCS | 250 E Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20427 | 202-606-8100 | www.fmcs.gov

in Washington, D.C. and offices across the country, the agency has a proud track record of decades of

effective dispute resolution and conflict management services for employers and unions across industries 

and work activities in the private, public, and federal sectors. FMCS is also recognized for its success 

facilitating negotiated rulemaking processes and for its robust employment mediation program in the 

federal sector as well as its global program, partnering with more than 60 countries to provide 

international consulting and training. For more on FMCS or to request services, visit www.fmcs.gov