MAYETTA: Tribal Chairman Steve Ortiz has announced that at this time the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation government offices will remain open despite the possibility of a U.S. Government shut down at midnight tonight.

Although there are some federal programs that supplement tribes, the U.S. Constitution recognizes Indian nations as governments who retain the inherent powers to govern themselves.

The national media has been reporting that the U.S. Congress cannot agree on approving federal budget cuts ranging from $34 to $37 billion and have an impending deadline of midnight tonight. If the budget is not approved several government agencies and programs could be in jeopardy of operating.