Earlier this week, the White House released the President’s proposed budget for the Fiscal Year 2023 to start October 1st.  The budget outlines a number of the President’s priorities for the coming years and how the White House hopes federal spending is eventually appropriated.

From the President:
“My Budget details the next steps forward on our journey to execute a new economic vision, reduce costs for families, reduce the deficit, and build a better America. It is a Budget anchored in my bedrock belief that America is at its best when we invest in the backbone of our Nation: the hardworking people in every community who make our Nation run.”

“My Budget lays out detailed investments to build on a record-breaking year of broad-based, inclusive growth—and meet the challenges of the 21st Century. It is a call to reduce costs for families’ biggest expenses; grow, educate, and invest in our workforce; bolster our public health infrastructure; save lives by investing in strategies such as community policing and community violence interventions, strategies proven to reduce gun crime; and advance equity, environmental justice, and opportunity for all Americans.”

One of the key items this year is the proposed shift of Indian Health Service (IHS) funds to a mandatory funding level of $9.1 billion.  This would shift the IHS out of discretionary funding with the hope of “Providing IHS stable and predictable funding would improve access to high quality healthcare, rectify historical underfunding of the Indian Health system, eliminate existing facilities backlogs, address health inequities, and modernize IHS’ electronic health record system.”

For the Department of Interior (DOI) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA):
The Budget requests $4.5 billion for DOI tribal programs, more than $1 billion above the 2021 enacted level. These investments would support public safety and justice, social services, climate resilience, and educational needs to uphold Federal trust responsibilities and promote equity for historically underserved communities. This includes a $156 million increase to support reconstruction work at seven Bureau of Indian Education schools. This funding complements Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments to address climate resilience needs in tribal communities. The Budget proposes to reclassify Contract Support Costs and Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 Section 105(l) leases as mandatory spending, providing certainty in meeting these ongoing needs through dedicated funding sources. The Budget further proposes to provide mandatory funding to the Bureau of Reclamation for the operation and maintenance of previously enacted Indian Water Rights Settlements, and the Administration is interested in working with Congress on an approach to provide a mandatory funding source for future settlements. The Budget also complements Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments to address climate resilience needs in tribal communities with $673 million in tribal climate funding at DOI.

Resources

• President’s Budget Homepage
• Full Budget
• Supplemental Materials
• Analytical Perspectives
• Historical Tables (to be available soon)

For any other questions or concerns, please contact Nicholas Lovesee, Senior Policy Advisor, at Nicholas@nafoa.org.