Bill Includes Significant Funding Increase John Kline Requested for Tribal Schools

Press Release

The Fiscal Year 2016 appropriations bill, bipartisan legislation Congress is scheduled to vote on tomorrow, includes additional funding for Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools that Minnesota Congressman John Kline requested earlier this year. In March, Kline, the Chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, sent a letter to House Appropriators asking for a $58.7 million increase in funding for education construction within the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The legislation Congress will consider includes an increase of $63.7 million.

"I am pleased Congress recognizes the need for more funding to help address the deplorable conditions facing Indian schools," said Kline, who earlier this year visited the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig school in northern Minnesota and observed first-hand electrical hazards, leaky roofs, and doors covered by blankets in an attempt to block the winter air. "While this is an important step, Washington must also untangle the bureaucracy that continues to plague tribal schools and students. We have made a promise to American Indian students, and while responsible funding is necessary, the federal government must fix the mismanagement of these schools."

The bill provides funding to complete the replacement of schools listed on a 2004 priority list. The bill also directs the BIE to develop a comprehensive long-term plan to assess the needs of all facilities and their eventual replacement or repair as the Dept. of Defense did in 2009. The legislation restores the replacement facility line item and specifically mentions the "Bug" school as an example of why this funding is needed. The education construction funding level is $5 million above the President's request in an effort to address the backlog of projects. The bill also directs the Secretary of Interior to implement a set of management recommendations proposed by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office.

In August, Kline led the Minnesota congressional delegation in sending a letter to the Dept. of Interior asking for increased funding for the "Bug" school to help address the deplorable conditions of the school. The letter was co-signed by the entire Minnesota delegation that includes Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, and Representatives Collin Peterson, Betty McCollum, Rick Nolan, Keith Ellison, Tim Walz, Erik Paulsen, and Tom Emmer.

In May, Kline held an oversight hearing as Chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. He also sent a letter to the BIE seeking answers on numerous issues including what steps it plans to take to assess the condition of schools and facilities.

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