RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

SEC. 2219. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. Except as otherwise provided in this Act or the amendments made by this Act, nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act shall be construed to affect the obligation of the United States to any Indian or Indian tribe arising out of any treaty, statute. Executive order, or the trust responsibility of the United States owing to such Indian or Indian tribe. Nothing in this section shall exempt any individual Indian from the sanctions of “user accountability” provided for elsewhere in this Act: Provided, That no individual Indian shall be denied any benefit under Federal Indian programs comparable to those “means tested” safety net programs otherwise excluded under this Act.