WASHINGTON – In addition to the articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news from Washington, DC that recently impacted Indian Country.
U.S. House Budget Subcommittee Proposes Increase Funding for Indian Housing Block Grant Program
There is bipartisan support for proposed increases to the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program.
On Thursday, the US House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee’s proposed budget would increase IHBG funding by 9% ($1.22 billion). While the Subcommittee majority maintained their pledge to cut funding for HUD programs, funding for Native American programs was largely protected under the leadership of Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
In March, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 was passed, appropriating $1.34 billion for Native American programs. Included in that $1.34 billion was $1.11 billion made available for the Indian Housing Block Grant program. Chairman Cole said at the time, “I am very proud to announce that, along with the help of Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii, I have secured over $1.34 billion for Native American housing programs and $150 million in discretionary appropriations for Tribal Transportation programs.”
“These historic wins will help address the urgent housing and transportation needs of tribal communities, and will also raise the standard for this necessary funding in the future,” Cole said. “As a member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, it will always be a priority of mine to ensure that the needs of tribal communities are represented here in Washington, DC, and I am very pleased to have secured this vital funding.”
Additional $43 million for Rural Water Projects, as part of Investing in America Agenda. Released
The Interior Department on Thursday announced a $43 million investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for rural water projects that provide clean, reliable drinking water to rural and tribal communities. Investments through the Bureau of Reclamation will support six projects already under construction or in the planning stages in Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico and South Dakota, and follow the $733 million previously announced for rural water projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act.
The funding includes the Fort Peck Reservation and the Jicarilla Apache Nation:
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$9.8 million for the Fort Peck Reservation/Dry Prairie in Montana to fund completion of the Pines Service Area Project. $54 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is being used in the Fort Peck-Dry Prairie Rural Water System to complete the final two phases of service lines within the reservation. Dry Prairie is completing service lines in the Scobey/Flaxville service areas and the Outlook/Westby service areas.
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$5 Million for the Jicarilla-Apache Nation to continue data collection and design work. This builds on $22 million previously committed through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the design and construction of project components of the previous phase of the rural water system.
“With the historic resources of President Biden’s Investing in America, we continue to make significant investments to help states and tribes fundamentally transform current and future water sustainability and conservation efforts across the country,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
USDA organizes tribal consultations on tribal self-determination
In June, USDA hosted a historic series of consultations on advancing tribal self-determination in forestry, meat inspections, and food and nutrition. We would like to thank the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) for hosting us for these substantive Nation-to-Nation discussions, during which we identified opportunities to deepen tribal engagement within USDA’s existing statutory authority, as well as what additional flexibilities tribes consider necessary to implement Executive Order 14112. The framework documents for these consultations are available on our website at Tribal Consultations | USDA, and USDA is accepting written comments through July 5 at Tribal.Relations@usda.gov.
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