Hoeven: Appropriations Bill Supports Tribal Colleges, Public Safety on Reservations

Press Release

Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, today announced that the full Appropriations Committee has approved the Fiscal Year 2016 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill, which includes important provisions for Native Americans. The bill includes funding to support tribal colleges, as well as support to help boost public safety and justice on reservations.

"We have included funding for law enforcement, which is a huge priority for North Dakota right now, especially in western North Dakota where we've seen more population growth and more crime," Hoeven said. "We've also increased funding for education, for example, for the United Tribes Technical College. We not only secured the funding they need but also it will come up front, rather than the end of the year. That's very important to them as they work to educate Native American youth from across the state."

Tribal Colleges -- Fully funds Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities at $74.7 million and Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions at $6.9 million. This funding will help support growing enrollment at Tribal higher learning institutions, which provide local community members with the skillset and knowledge they need to be successful.

Forward Funding for United Tribes Technical College -- Includes an additional $5 million to fund the Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions, which includes United Tribes Technical College. This funding will come up front rather than at the end of the year, which will support a thriving educational system for Native American students throughout the state.

Public Safety and Justice --Provides more than $377 million in support for the Public Safety and Justice Program, which is comprised of Law Enforcement, Tribal Courts and Fire Protection. This funding is a major priority for North Dakota, especially in the western part of the state. Western North Dakota has recently seen rapid population growth due to energy development, and this has led to an increase in crime both on and off the reservation. This funding will help ensure the continued safety of residents in the affected areas.

Criminal Investigations and Police Services -- Provides funding to support police and investigative services on reservations.

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