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| House Passes $1 Million Albuquerque Water Project in Interior Appropriations Bill |
May 19, 2006 |
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Bill Restores Urban Indian Health Funds and Protects Forests, Rivers & Parks
Washington, DC – The House late Thursday passed H.R. 5386, the Fiscal Year 2007 Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 293-128 with $1 million to improve water infrastructure for the North and South Valley, a project requested by Congresswoman Heather Wilson, and restored funding for Urban Indian Health programs.
The bill will now await consideration in the U.S. Senate. Wilson led a bipartisan effort with Congressman Jim McDermott of Washington to save the Urban Indian Health program from elimination, resulting in restoration of $33.4 million in funds. Wilson and McDermott sent letters to the Budget Committee and Appropriations Committee in Congress to urge their colleagues to provide funding for the program.
In addition to $1 million in this bill, Congress has appropriated $23 million for the Albuquerque/Bernalillo water infrastructure project in the past, including $1 million in the fiscal year 2006 Interior Appropriations bill, for the wastewater and drinking water improvements for the Albuquerque/Bernalillo Water Utility Authority.
“We have a job-creating economy that is on the move and needs a strong infrastructure to continue to flourish,” Wilson said. “This is a good investment to ensure a dependable water infrastructure.”
The Interior and Environment Appropriations bill is significant in New Mexico because it establishes funding for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Parks Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Other Highlights:
$5.9 billion for various Native American programs
$1.3 billion for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
$5 million for the Flight 93 Memorial
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