Indian tribes could get almost $3B in stimulus

(AP) - American Indian tribes stand to gain almost $3 billion as part of the economic stimulus moving through Congress.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has included $2.8 billion for Indian tribes in its version of the bill. A House version to be voted on today includes a similar amount.

The money includes hundreds of millions of dollars for schools, health clinics, roads, law enforcement and water projects.

The National Congress of American Indians calls the bill a "once in a lifetime opportunity" for tribes.

The group says eight of the poorest counties in the United States are on reservations.

U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., says the money won't be enough for people there to catch up, but he says it's a significant boost. He says they've been "left behind in many of the basic needs of life."

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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