William R. Richardson: “I would like to mention that the agreement includes a provision proposed by the other body that $5 million be expended…”

“I would like to mention that the agreement includes a provision proposed by the other body that $5 million be expended in substance abuse and mental health services for Native American populations, rural and Native American populations. No similar provision had been approved by the House, but this is a very important provision in Indian country. We passed a bill very important that dealt with Native American housing earlier. I want to commend the conferees for putting this money in for mental health services and substance abuse. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. Let me conclude with the immigration provisions. I think the President deserves credit for sticking up for legal immigrants in the bill. The bill still has some flaws on the immigration side but nonetheless deserves support. The conference agreement provides $2,134,743,000 for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA] instead of $1,849,235,000 as proposed by the House in H.R. 3755 and $1,873,943,000 as proposed by the Senate in H.R. 3755 as reported from committee.”