On March 10, Congress passed a $1.5 trillion Omnibus Appropriations Bill to fund the Federal government through FY 2022. The Bill increases funding for a number of important tribal programs and services. Overall, approximately $10 billion will be provided to fund Indian programs and services through the Department of Interior, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Energy. Significant funding in the bill includes:
The Bureau of Indian Affairs will receive $2.264 billion which is an increase of $104 million above FY 2021. This funding includes:
- $147 million for BIA construction an increase of $18 million,
- $297.68 million for Criminal Investigations and Police Services an increase of $76 million,
- $5 million for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Initiative,
- $7 million for the Native boarding school initiative
- $1.281 billion for the Bureau of Indian Education an increase of $44.6 million,
- $7 million for the land consolidation, and
- $31.97 million for Tribal Climate Resiliency.
The Indian Health Service will receive $6.6 billion which is an increase of $395 million over FY 2021. Funding includes:
- $4.7 billion for hospitals, clinics, doctors, and nurses an increase of $22 million,
- $235 million for dental health,
- $121.9 million for mental health programs including suicide prevention, and
- $940 million, an increase of $22 million, for facility investments, new hospital construction, new and replacement equipment, and water and solid waste infrastructure improvements.
The Bureau of Reclamation will receive $1.924 billion, an increase of $233 million, to assist western tribes, states, rural communities, and parts of the country experiencing drought conditions.
Department of Energy Office of Indian Policy and Programs Tribal Energy will receive $58 million, an increase of $36 million.
The Omnibus Appropriations Bill also provides funding for Indian housing through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Supporting Crime Victims through the Department of Justice, and the Tribal Transportation Program within the Department of Transportation.
Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson LLP works with the White House, members of Congress, and federal officials to advance the interests of its clients. To learn more about how we can assist your tribe in Washington D.C., contact attorney Rollie Wilson in our D.C. office at (202) 340-8232.