Sen. Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico), a member of the Senate Appropriations and Indian Affairs committees, is calling for a change in the distribution of tribal priority allocation (TPA) funds.

Domenici said wealthy tribes with casinos shouldn't receive as much money as poorer tribes. "I think it's time to look at perhaps a new formula that gives those who don't have the benefit of casinos a larger share of the government's assistance," Domenici said at a mark-up on the fiscal year 2006 Interior appropriations bill, The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

TPA funds are distributed to every tribe based on an old formula, he noted. The Bush administration wants to change the formula but hasn't started the consultation process.

TPA funds are used by tribes to carry out their daily functions. Some wealthy tribes, like the Oneida Nation of New York and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, return their distribution to the Bureau of Indian Affairs so that other tribes can benefit.

The Bush administration has cut parts of the overall TPA request but the House and the Senate are restoring it in their respective budget bills.

Get the Story:
Senator: Tribes with casinos should get less U.S. funding (The Las Vegas Review-Journal 6/8)

2006 Interior Appropriations Bill:
H.R.2361 | House Report 109-080

FY 2006 Funding Levels:
Subcommittee Reports FY06 Interior Appropriations Bill (May 4, 2005) | Appropriations Subcommittee Reports FY 2006 Interior Spending Bill (June 7, 2005)

Senate Indian Affairs Committee Letter:
FY 2006 Views and Estimates (February 28, 2005)

Budget Documents:
DOI Budget in Brief | Trust Responsibilities | Tribal Communities | Bureau of Indian Affairs | Departmental Offices [includes Office of Special Trustee] | DOI [from White House]

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