For Immediate Release
August 10, 2021
Contact:
Manu Tupper or Mike Inacay (Schatz) at press@indian.senate.gov
SCHATZ: MORE THAN $11 BILLION HEADED TO NATIVE COMMUNITIES TO BUILD WATER AND SANITATION INFRASTRUCTURE, IMPROVE TRIBAL TRANSPORTATION, EXPAND BROADBAND ACCESS ON NATIVE LANDS
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, voted to pass a bipartisan infrastructure deal that includes more than $11 billion in dedicated funding for Tribes and Native communities. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver targeted federal resources to advance deployment of infrastructure in Native communities.
“Native communities’ critical infrastructure needs, such as sanitation, transportation, water settlements, and broadband, have been well documented – yet underfunded – for decades. After COVID hit, it became clear that robust federal investment to build new and update existing infrastructure in Native communities was essential,” said Chairman Schatz. “The more than $11 billion for Native communities is proof positive that we can come together, on a bipartisan basis, to get things done. But our efforts don’t end today – we have more work to do to better represent and serve Native communities across the country.”
The $11 billion investment in Native communities includes:
$3.5 billion for the Indian Health Service Sanitation Facilities Construction Program
$3 billion for the US Department of Transportation Tribal Transportation Program
$2.5 billion to address approved Indian water rights settlements
$2 billion for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program to expand broadband access on Tribal lands and Hawaiian Home Lands
Tribes and Native-serving organizations are set to receive additional funding to support transportation enhancement, energy development, water and sanitation construction, broadband deployment, climate resiliency, natural resource management, and environmental remediation, among other infrastructure priorities for Native communities.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was passed by the Senate today. The bill heads to the House for further consideration.
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