Indian Country Slated for Nearly $3 Billion in Economic Stimulus Package

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved an $819 billion economic stimulus package that included nearly $3 billion for Indian Country programs. H.R. 1 will now go to the Senate, where a similar amount has already been approved for inclusion in the stimulus package.  

 Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., announced on Tuesday that the Senate Appropriations Committee had approved $2.8 billion in funding for improvements for Indian health services, education, roads and bridges, water, public safety, and housing.

 Here is a breakdown of the appropriation.

 INDIAN HEALTH CARE

• Indian Health Facilities – $410 million
• New construction - $135 million 
• Maintenance and repairs - $155 million 
• Sanitation Facilities - $100 million 
• Medical Equipment - $20 million 
• Indian Health Services - $135 million
• Contract health care - $50 million 
• Health Information Technology activities - $85 million

 PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUSTICE

• Department of Justice Grants (DOJ) - $300 million
• Indian Jails construction - $250 million 
• Tribal courts program - $25 million 
• Indian Alcohol Recovery program - $25 million 
• BIA Indian Jails repair (Interior) – $25 million

 INDIAN SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

• Tribal and BIA new schools construction - $132 million 
• Tribal and BIA schools repair and improvement - $35 million 
• BIA School Modernization (Dept. of Education) – $160 million

 TRIBAL ROADS AND BRIDGES

• BIA roads improvement - $150 million
• Indian Reservation Roads (DOT) – $320 million
• Tribal Transit Set-Aside (DOT) – $16.8 million

 INDIAN WATER PROJECTS

• Bureau of Reclamation Tribal Water Projects – $274 million (approximate)
• BIA irrigation construction and repair - $40 million 
• BIA dams improvement - $25 million 
• Safe Drinking and Clean Water Revolving Funds – $120 million (the language “permits” the Secretary to fund the tribal set-aside under these revolving funds)

 INDIAN HOUSING

• Indian Housing block grants (HUD) – $510 million
• BIA Housing Improvement Program – $20 million

 OTHER

• Indian Reservation Food Distribution (USDA) – $5 million
• BIA major facilities improvement and repair – $115 million 
• BIA workforce training – $20 million
• Tribal Community Development Financial Institutions (Treasury) – $20 million
• Indian Loan Guarantee Program (Interior) – $10 million