Sen. John Thune (R-South Dakota) introduced an amendment on Tuesday to redirect $400 million in federal grants to tribal law enforcement and health programs.

The money would be added to the Emergency Fund for Indian Safety and Health, a $2 billion program created by the Senate last year. Thune said the funds will make a big difference in Indian Country.

"We saw what a difference additional resources made when the Bureau of Indian Affairs dramatically increased the number of law enforcement officials on the Standing Rock Reservation during the surge," said Thune, who led efforts to create the emergency fund.

The amendment was introduced to the 2009 FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which passed the House last week and is under consideration by the Senate.

FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act:
H.R.1105 | Text and Explanatory Statement | More Details

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