Jeff Bingaman: “The IRR system doesn't just serve Indian communities, but also visitors, including tourists, recreational, commercial…”

“The IRR system doesn't just serve Indian communities, but also visitors, including tourists, recreational, commercial and industrial users of roads and transit throughout Indian country. For the tribes, transportation is an important contributor to economic development, self-determination, and employment for all Indian communities. This bill represents a very modest, but important step toward providing basic transportation services throughout Indian country. The proposals in my bill are similar to many of the recommendations presented by Chairwoman Robyn Burdette of the Summit Lake Paiute Tribe of Nevada at the August 8 hearing of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Infrastructure, and Nuclear Safety of the Environment and Public Works Committee. In her testimony, Chairwoman Burdette specifically cited the need to remove the obligation limitation, increase funding for the IRR program, create new programs for transit and bridges, and increase funding for road maintenance in the Interior appropriations bill. All of these items are addressed in my bill.”