Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

Politics
House approves Commerce, Justice, Safety bill


The House voted 418 to 7 vote on Thursday to approve the $57.5 billion Commerce-State-Justice fiscal year 2006 appropriations bill.

The measure includes $38 million for Indian Country law enforcement under the Community Oriented Policing Services program. The amount is $18.6 million less than the Bush administration's request of $51.6 million but nearly double the 2005 enacted level.

"These funds are intended to meet the most pressing needs of tribes, including law enforcement hiring, equipment, and training, court improvement projects, and alcohol and substance abuse reduction programs," the report accompanying the bill states.

The bill also provides $10 million for the tribal youth program under the Juvenile Justice Act.

The bill does not appear to include any riders affecting Indian gaming, trust litigation or other Indian areas. In prior years, Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Virginia), an opponent of gambling, has inserted anti-Indian provisions that were subsequently removed or significantly modified.

Get the Story:
House Spending Bills Moving Along (The Washington Post 6/17)
pwpwd

Get the Bill:
H.R.2862 | House Report 109-118

Related Stories:
Indian Affairs Committee objects to Bush funding cuts (03/08)
Changes in Congress affect appropriations process (03/03)
Senator angles for better 'defense' on Bush budget (02/24)
Senators blast budget cuts to Indian programs (2/17)
Justice bill puts focus on tribal casino crime (08/04)
Overcrowding in Indian Country jails the norm (12/02)
Tribes lobbying against 'harmful' appropriations riders (11/10) Indian Country jails see record growth (09/05)
Indian Country jails see increased numbers (8/13)
Behind Bars: Native incarceration rates increase (7/13)
BIA audit slams Omaha Tribe's police force (5/8)
New study focuses on jails (7/10)