For Immediate Release
May 28, 2021
Contact:
Manu Tupper or Mike Inacay (Schatz) at press@indian.senate.gov
SCHATZ: PRESIDENT’S BUDGET A BOLD PROPOSAL FOR NATIVE COMMUNITIES
FY22 Budget Calls For Historic Funding, Policy Changes Long Requested by Tribes to Advance Native-Serving Programs
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, issued the below statement following President Biden’s release of his Fiscal Year 2022 budget request. The President’s budget contains $30.6 billion for Native-serving federal programs and includes several longstanding policy proposals called for by Tribes and Tribal organizations.
“President Biden’s FY22 budget is proof positive of his commitment to upholding the United States’ trust responsibility for Tribes and Native communities,” said Chairman Schatz. “This historic funding for Native communities will improve health outcomes for Native Americans, support educational opportunities for Native students, drive Tribal economic development, provide much-needed investment in community infrastructure, and empower the development of Native-led climate solutions. What’s more, the President’s budget seeks to address longstanding Tribal priorities by making funding for certain critical Indian programs mandatory and implementing advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service. I applaud the President’s bold budget vision for Indian Country and look forward to putting it into action in Congress.”
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