National Tribal Organizations Respond to Sen. McCain's Amendment to Eliminate Funding for the Indian Incentive Program

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The leaders of Native American groups representing the rights and interests of the indigenous populations in this country are shocked and dismayed at Senator John McCain's (R-AZ) amendment that would eliminate the funding for the "Indian Incentive Program." The program was authorized by Congress many years ago to boost economic development in Indian Country, and has been consistently funded each year. Under the program, prime contractors awarded procurements of $500,000 or more that contain a provision recognizing the program, receive a 5% rebate on the value of a subcontract awarded to an Indian-owned economic enterprise or Native American organization. Currently, a total of $15 million dollars is budgeted for the funding of such rebates. The total funding for this program does not go to any one entity, but is issued to dozens of contractors who satisfy the terms of the program.

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