WASHINGTON, D.C. [1/13/23] — U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) applauded the bipartisan government funding bill, which includes a number of key Tribal provisions she has authored or championed. The Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which was signed into law by President Biden two weeks ago, will take important steps to help Native families achieve homeownership, provide culturally competent mental and behavioral health services, and provide adequate funding for the Indian Health Service.
“This bill is a historic investment in hard working families in Minnesota and across this country,” said Sen. Smith. “It gives us the tools to make significant progress on upholding our commitments to Tribal Nations, lowering health care costs, tackling the mental health crisis, and more. I was proud to vote yes on a bill that will give Minnesota, and our country, needed resources to build a stronger future.”
The Omnibus Appropriations Bill includes many key provisions authored or championed by Sen. Smith. These new laws will:
- Establish grants for Tribal governments, Tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, and Tribal health programs to receive funds for culturally-competent mental and behavioral health services for Native Americans.
- Provide parity for Tribal courts in splitting retirement plan assets in divorce proceedings.
- Advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service through 2024.
- Help Native families living in rural areas achieve homeownership through provisions from Senator Smith’s bipartisan Native American Rural Homeownership Act.
The Omnibus Appropriations Bill also includes many other important provisions supported by Sen. Smith such as the Electoral Count Reform Act, support for the people of Ukraine, fully funding provisions of the PACT Act, permanently extending postpartum coverage for mothers on Medicaid and CHIP, increasing child care and housing access, and more.
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