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JULY 12, 2000

HR 4578 made its way to the Senate floor on Monday, July 10. The bill, Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2001, includes provisions for increased funding for Indian health, education, and trust reform.

Senator Slade Gorton (R-Wash) brought the bill to the Senate. "I can assure my colleagues that the bill is a responsible product that is responsive to the most pressing needs of...the agencies that provide health, education and other services to Indian people."

The bill calls for an increase of $143 million to the Indian Health Service, including a $41 million program increase for additional clinical services, a $20 million increase for contract health services, and a $25 million increase for facilities construction and improvement.

The bill also provides an increase of $12.5 million for trust reform within the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The money satisfies the full administration request for the Office of Special Trustee, which is charged with overseeing the trust reform management.

Additionally, the bill authorizes $15,000,000 to be used by the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation for relocation of Navajo tribal members and Navajo families from Hopi land.

Related Stories:
Gorton responds to resolution (The Talking Circle 7/12)

Relevant Links:
Senator Slade Gorton - www.senate.gov/~gorton
The Indian Health Service - www.ihs.gov
The Department of Interior - www.doi.gov
The Bureau of Indian Affairs - www.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html
Office of Special Trustee for American Indians - www.ost.doi.gov