No Indian health and safety fund in Obama's budget
Friday, May 8, 2009
Filed Under:
Politics
President Barack Obama released details of his
fiscal year 2010
budget on Thursday but it didn't include any money for the Emergency Fund for Indian Health and Safety.
Congress created the fund for health, law enforcement and water projects in Indian Country. Supporters hoped Obama would request $400 million for the fund's first year.
"Last year, I worked hard with South Dakota’s tribes as well as my colleagues in the Senate on a bipartisan basis to create the Emergency Fund for Indian Health and Safety, but the real work is still ahead," said
Sen. John Thune (R-South Dakota). "Congress must act to appropriate money for the fund, and despite the president providing zero funding in his budget, I will continue to advocate for this important program as Congress works to finalize the budget for fiscal year 2010."
Congress authorized $2 billion for the fund over five years.
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Tribal law and order bill introduced in Senate
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Salazar to develop plan for Indian
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Senate Indian
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