February 9, 2012: The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 11:00 a.m. with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 1813, the Surface Transportation bill. At approximately 2:00 p.m., there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 1813.
I am a staunch advocate of rural housing needs and I use my position as a member of the Appropriations Committee to further South Dakota's housing opportunities. Rural America has different housing problems than urban areas, and I have worked hard to ensure that South Dakota receives equal recognition and federal support.
South Dakota has benefited greatly by the outstanding work of our local and state public housing authorities. My office works closely with the South Dakota Housing Development Authority, and the commissioners on South Dakota's Housing Board.
I will continue to use my seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee to ensure that our state and local officials have the resources to provide high level service.
Indian Housing
The current status of Indian housing is well below adequate levels and I will continue to use my positions on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee to see that the massive backlog of housing needs in Indian Country are met.
The Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) of 1996 restructured Native American housing assistance to provide a block grant program and eliminated several programs of housing assistance. The Act is designed to provide Federal assistance for Indian tribes in a manner that identifies the right of tribal self-governance. There are two programs authorized for Indian tribes under NAHASDA. They are the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG), which is a formula based grant program and Title VI Loan Guarantee, which provides financing guarantees to Indian tribes for loans to develop and expand affordable housing.
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