Jodi Rave: Senate bill includes $2.8B for tribes

National

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

"The Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved a multibillion dollar economic stimulus plan, including $2.8 billion for tribes n with the largest share directed toward Indian health services and buildings.

“Nowhere in this nation are jobs and construction improvements more needed than on American Indian reservations,” U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, said in a statement. “Tribal communities suffer 50 percent unemployment rates and longstanding construction needs.”

Dorgan, also a member of the Appropriations Committee, led 14 other senators in requesting $3.58 billion for tribes, with Tuesday’s jobs bill appropriation falling almost $1 billion short of what Indian Affairs Committee members recommended.

The Appropriations Committee’s approval of $365.6 billion for the jobs bill now moves the discussion to the full Senate. Overall, Senate legislation for the national economic recovery plan now totals $825 billion, including stimulus programs announced by the Senate Finance Committee.

“Our country is facing a grave economic crisis,” said Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee in a statement. “It is imperative that the federal government use all means available to address the problems. I believe that failure to act could lead to much greater deficits and economic problems for our nation for years to come. This measure is a very important step forward.”"

Get the Story:
Jodi Rave: Senate Appropriations Committee approves $2.8 billion for tribal economic recovery (The Missoulian 1/28)

Another Story:
American Indians could reap almost $3B in stimulus (AP 1/27)