Ahead of August recess Congress made significant progress in July on the Interior Appropriations bill and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). All of these bills include important provisions and funding for Indian country. When Congress returns in September the work will continue with floor votes and conference committees on these bills.
Indian country achieved at least three major victories including significant tribal legislation in the version of the NDAA passed by the Senate. Included in the Senate version of the more than 2,000 page must pass NDAA are provisions that would reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) after more than a decade to update the law, issue a federal charter for the National American Indians Veterans organization, and approve a water rights settlement for the Fort Belknap Indian Community. Conference between the House and Senate versions of the NDAA is expected in the fall.
Progress was also made in funding for Indian programs. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees each passed Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bills. In order to meet funding deadlines, the full Congress must pass a FY 2024 Interior appropriations bill before September 30, 2023.
The Interior appropriations bill contains a majority of funding for Indian programs, including funding for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, and Indian Health Service. Despite cuts in many appropriations bills for other parts of the government, Indian programs in both the House and Senate versions of the Interior appropriations bill were spared from dramatic cuts and even show some increases in funding.
On July 19, 2023, the House Appropriations Committee passed the FY 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. Major categories of funding included in the bill are:
- $2.582 billion for the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
- $1.39 billion for the Bureau of Indian Education;
- $7.07 billion for the Indian Health Service (IHS);
- $1.06 billion for IHS Facilities; and
- Includes advanced appropriations for IHS.
On July 27, 2023, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed the FY 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. Major categories of funding included in the bill are:
- $1.93 billion for the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
- $1.13 billion for Bureau of Indian Education;
- $7.27 billion for IHS;
- $1.06 billion for IHS Facilities; and
- Includes advanced appropriations for IHS.
While the work ahead of the August recess shows progress on passing full year funding, in many years Congress is only able to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR). CRs keep funding flowing, but the funding is frozen at existing levels and it can be difficult to manage tribal programs under short term CRs.
Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson LLP is dedicated to the representation of American Indian tribes, tribal entities, and individual Indians across the United States. Our mission is to support and advance the sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and self-governance of our tribal clients.
To learn more about how we can assist your tribe, contact our DC office at 202-434-8903.