President Barack Obama signed the the $787 billion stimulus package into law on Tuesday.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes about $2.5 billion for Indian health, education, infrastructure, water and other projects. It authorizes $2.2 billion in tribal tax bonding authority for economic development and construction.

Tribal organizations hailed inclusion of tribes in the law. "This is a time for tribal leaders to be vigilant, responsive and accountable so that these funds are not only used to lift Native communities out of a decades-old depression but to also help lift this country out of its current recession," said National Congress of American Indians President Joe Garcia said.

The law includes $510 million for tribal housing, housing related infrastructure and community development under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act. "More so than in other communities in the nation, these economic stimulus activities will set a course to create large numbers of jobs immediately, which will build the foundation for long-term economic growth in Native communities," said Marty Shuravloff, Chairman of the National American Indian Housing Council.

Get the Story:
Obama Leaves D.C. to Sign Stimulus Bill (The Washington Post 2/18)
Recovery Measure Becomes Law and Partisan Fight Endures (The New York Times 2/18)

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:
H.R.1 | S.1

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Obama pushes for stimulus on eve of Senate vote (2/10)
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Opinion: Indian Country stimulus a good start (1/30)
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Jodi Rave: Senate bill includes $2.8B for tribes (1/28)