Shelly praises Lujan for stimulus support

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Navajo Nation Vice President Ben Shelly said that newly elected U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico showed good leadership with his support of the House’s version of the stimulus bill.

Lujan voted in favor of the Recovery and Reinvestment Act Jan. 28. It passed the House with a vote of 244-188.

The Navajo Nation president’s spokesman George Hardeen said that funding for Indian Health Services facility construction and Bureau of Indian Affairs roads and detention facilities were included in the House bill.

“Language to eliminate cost-sharing for American Indians and Alaska Natives in Medicaid was also included, and I commend Congressman Lujan and his colleagues, Representatives Ann Kirkpatrick, Harry Teague, and Martin Heinrich, for pushing needed legislation,” Shelly said.

Lujan was welcomed to the Navajo Nation by Shelly Friday and also met with Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan and several Navajo Nation Council delegates from the Eastern Agency.

Lujan and Shelly discussed health care construction funding, water rights and infrastructure development during the Friday meeting according to the Navajo Nation president’s office.

Shelly had delivered the Navajo Nation’s stimulus request plan and the “Navajo Nation Federal Agenda for the Obama-Biden Transition Team and the 111th Congress” to Lujan at his office in Washington Jan. 21.

Lujan said in a statement that the people of New Mexico need relief in these difficult economic times.

“The recovery plan focuses on job creation through infrastructure projects, renewable energy development, school modernization and other important projects that will help many communities and put people back to work,” he said.

The Senate is expected to vote this week on its version of the stimulus bill, Hardeen said.