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Politics & Government

Obama's Budget Includes $160K for Shinnecocks

U.S. Rep. Bishop praises the move.

President Barack Obama's 2013 budget proposal includes $160,000 for the Shinnecock Nation, a Native American tribe with a in Southampton that became federally recognized in 2010.

The line item came at the urging of , D-Southampton, according to a statement from his office Tuesday. Bishop had written the president's top budget official on Jan. 26 in response to possible funding cuts to the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. He called for the Shinnecock Nation to receive the same support that the federal government typically extends to newly recognized tribes. He wrote that denying the nation "New Tribe" funding would be unprecedented.

“The Shinnecock Nation has fought long and hard for their proper recognition under federal law as well as access to the economic benefits available to duly recognized tribes,” Bishop said. “Despite the tough budget environment, America must honor our commitment to help newly-recognized tribes, and I am pleased that federal resources will help the tribal government meet the needs of the Shinnecock community.”

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"New Tribe" funding for the Shinnecock Nation is still not set in stone, as Congress must ultimately approve the budget. The funding would become available at the start of the 2013 fiscal year, on Oct. 1, 2012, and be designated for infrastructure, administration and organizational support as well as training the tribal government in federal policy and procedures, judicial systems and community policing.

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