Today the Committee is going to examine the need for infrastructure and job creation on Indian lands and in Indian Country in this Nation of ours.

Senator Dorgan's request of $344 million for new construction of K-12 school facilities and $150 million for maintenance and repair of K-12 school facilities is similar to NIEA's request.

the finally enacted economic recovery package must include provisions that specifically direct funds toward tribal governments' infrastructure and capital needs

It's just been an unbelievable mess in a lot of ways.

NIEA commends Chairman Dorgan in particular for his tremendous efforts to ensure that Indian Country is included in the stimulus package.

Senator Dorgan's request of $334 million for new construction of K-12 school facilities and $150 million for maintenance and repair is similar to NIEA's request.

NIEA strongly supports Senator Dorgan's request, signed and supported by 14 other Senators, for funding for BIE school construction and maintenance.

I believe very strongly in energy efficiency. We need to work hard on this.

I think this is an important time where urgent action needs to be taken on some energy issues.

While I am happy to note that the January 9th letter proposed $4.4 million for energy development on Indian lands, I must say that this amount is woefully inadequate to meet the need for tribal energy project development.

On January 9, 2009, Committee leadership, together with 13 other U.S. Senators, issued a letter to President Obama urging the inclusion of billions of dollars in Indian tribal projects in the economic stimulus plan.