Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne gave a preview of the upcoming Bureau of Indian Affairs budget on Thursday.
Speaking at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Kempthorne said the fiscal year 2009 budget he is proposing continues funding for two Indian initiatives. The Safe Indian Communities Initiative and the
Improving Indian Education Initiative were first announced last year.
Kempthorne said the Bush administration will seek $27 million to help tribes combat methamphetamine and hire up to 200 more law enforcement officers. That's an increase of $3 million from the amount appropriated by Congress for the program.
The administration also plans to ask for $25 million to improved student achievement levels at BIA schools. That's slightly more than the $24 million that was appropriated by Congress.
“The Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs will not cease to provide support for these programs until we shut down the peddlers of poison who are victimizing Native American families -- and particularly Indian children,” said Kempthorne. “It is not enough, however, to simply protect Indian children from drugs and crime. We must also help them to achieve a brighter future through better educational opportunities in Indian Country."
The rest of Interior's budget will be unveiled at 1pm on Monday at the main Interior building. Kempthorne and other officials will speak.
According to The Washington Post, President Bush will propose a freeze in most domestic programs and will cut health spending throughout the government.
Related Story:2009 Budget Seeks Spending Freeze (The Washington Post 2/1)
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Bush administration press conference on Thursday (1/30)
