A bipartisan group of senators is warning the Trump administration against placing Medicaid work requirements on tribes in the U.S.

The administration told tribal leaders in January in a letter that it was unable to require states to exempt American Indians and Alaska Natives from Medicaid work requirements because it is "constrained by statute."

Such exemptions would be an illegal racial preference, the administration argues.

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The senators, led by Tom Udall Thomas (Tom) Stewart UdallLWCF modernization: Restoring the promise OVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency MORE (D-N.M.), argue not exempting tribes would violate federal law and court decisions that state tribes are not a racial group but political communities.

"The views expressed [by the administration] fail to recognize the unique legal status of Indian tribes and their members under federal law, the U.S. Constitution, treaties, and the federal trust relationship," Udall and the senators wrote in the letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar.

Several states have submitted waivers to the Trump administration asking to put work requirements on some Medicaid beneficiaries — mostly low-income, childless adults who gained coverage through ObamaCare's Medicaid expansion.

But the administration's view is that the requirements would also apply to tribes in states that have the waivers approved.

Medicaid services 50 percent of patients at some tribally operated health systems, 40 percent of patients at federally operated Indian Health Service facilities and 25 percent of all American Indian and Alaska Natives nationwide, the senators note.

Work requirements could hamper access to health care for these groups, they wrote.

According to the letter from the senators, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma told members of the Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee that the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) interpreted that an exemption would be considered "race based."

"Tribal leaders and organizations confirmed to our offices that other department officials have continued to cite OCR's interpretation in meetings with tribal leaders on several subsequent occasions," reads the letter from the senators, which was also signed by Democrats Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerSenate Democrats introduce legislation to probe politicization of pandemic response Schumer interrupted during live briefing by heckler: 'Stop lying to the people' Jacobin editor: Primarying Schumer would force him to fight Trump's SCOTUS nominee MORE (N.Y.), Maria Cantwell Maria Elaine CantwellHillicon Valley: Zuckerberg acknowledges failure to take down Kenosha military group despite warnings | Election officials push back against concerns over mail-in voting, drop boxes Bipartisan senators call for investigation of popular fertility app The Hill's Coronavirus Report: Mike Roman says 3M on track to deliver 2 billion respirators globally and 1 billion in US by end of year; US, Pfizer agree to 100M doses of COVID-19 vaccine that will be free to Americans MORE (Wash.), Jeff Merkley Jeffrey (Jeff) Alan MerkleyThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump, Biden renew push for Latino support Sunday shows - Trump team defends coronavirus response Oregon senator says Trump's blame on 'forest management' for wildfires is 'just a big and devastating lie' MORE (Ore.) Heidi Heitkamp Mary (Heidi) Kathryn HeitkampCentrists, progressives rally around Harris pick for VP 70 former senators propose bipartisan caucus for incumbents Susan Collins set to play pivotal role in impeachment drama MORE (N.D.), Martin Heinrich Martin Trevor HeinrichSenate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency Senate Democrats seek removal of controversial public lands head after nomination withdrawal Five takeaways from final Senate Intel Russia report MORE (N.M.), Catherine Cortez Masto Catherine Marie Cortez MastoDemocratic Senate campaign arm raised nearly M in August VA problems raise worries about mail slowdown, prescriptions Cortez Masto touts mail-in voting in convention speech MORE (Nev.), Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHarris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda Judd Gregg: The Kamala threat — the Californiaization of America GOP set to release controversial Biden report MORE (Mass.) and Tina Smith Tina Flint SmithThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump and Biden vie for Minnesota | Early voting begins in four states | Blue state GOP governors back Susan Collins GOP Senate candidate says Trump, Republicans will surprise in Minnesota Biden promises Democratic senators help in battleground states MORE (Minn.), as well as Republican Lisa Murkowski Lisa Ann MurkowskiSenate GOP aims to confirm Trump court pick by Oct. 29: report Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot Pence defends Trump's 'obligation' to nominate new Supreme Court justice MORE (Alaska).

HHS has provided "little insight" into the "legal and policy foundation" for their beliefs, the senators wrote, citing conversations with tribal leaders and other groups.