President Biden Releases his FY 2022 Congressional Budget Justification
Special News for Indian Country
President Biden Releases his FY 2022 Congressional Budget Justification
On May 28, President Joseph R. Biden released the Congressional Justification for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Presidential Budget. The Congressional Justification is the second part of the President’s FY 2022 Discretionary Budget. The first part was the President’s FY 2022 Budget Request that was released on April 9, 2021, and provided an overview of the President’s budget priorities. The Congressional Justification provides a more in-depth analysis of the President’s budget requests and proposed funding levels for various federal agencies.
The White House held a briefing with leadership of various agencies after the Congressional Justification was released and the briefing included Department of the InteriorSecretary Deb Haaland and Department of Health and Human ServicesSecretary Xavier Becerra. During the briefing, Tribal leaders thanked President Biden for the increased proposed budget but also emphasized the need for funding flexibilities including allowing adequate time for Tribes to spend down funding.
The President’s Budget includes two historic plans: the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan. These two funding plans invest in education, research, public health, and more. In keeping with President Biden’s promise to strengthen the Trust Responsibility to Tribal Nations, the FY 2022 Budget aims to address “long-standing, stark inequities experienced by American Indians and Alaska Natives.” Included in the budget:
Increase funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS) by $2.2 billion
In addition, to ensure a more predictable funding stream for IHS, the Budget for the first time includes a request for advanced appropriations for IHS in 2023.
$900 million to fund Tribal efforts to expand affordable housing, improve housing conditions and infrastructure, and increase economic opportunities for low-income families.
Increase of more than $450 million for climate mitigation, resilience, adaptation, and environmental justice projects in Indian Country, including investment to begin the process of transitioning Tribal colleges in the country to renewable energy.
Combating the opioid epidemic: $10.7 billion in discretionary funding in the Department of Health and Human Services, an increase of $3.9 billion over the 2021 enacted level, with targeted investments to support populations with unique needs, including Native Americans.
The request for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, is $2.7 billion, $609.9 million over the FY 2021 enacted level.
