Nearly 40 tribal leaders, Alaska Native executives and Indian organizations presented testimony to the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, on Tuesday.

Tribes asked for increases in Indian programs at the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other agencies within the Interior Department. Common concerns were law enforcement, contract support costs, the Johnson O'Malley program and school construction.

The subcommittee also writes the appropriations bill that funds the Indian Health Service. A primary concern was the contract health services program, which is used when the IHS can't provide care at its own facilities.

Tribes also made specific earmark requests to the subcommittee, which typically reports out the Interior appropriations bill in June.

Relevant Documents:
Morning Session Witnesses | Morning Session Testimony | Afternoon Session Witnesses | Afternoon Session Testimony

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House panel takes testimony from tribes on 2011 budget (3/23)