Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), the only Native American in Congress, opposes a new bill that would cut federal funds to the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma until the Freedmen are restored to citizenship.

Cole, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, called H.R.2761 "ill advised." He said the bill creates a "double standard" regarding the federal government and treaties.

"The bill demands that the Cherokees live up to specific treaty obligations while ignoring the fact that the U.S. government has consistently violated the same treaty," said Cole.

Sponsors of the bill say the Cherokee Nation violated an 1866 treaty by denying citizenship to the Freedmen, who are the descendants of former slaves. They want the Interior Department to determine whether the tribe is complying with the treaty.

The Cherokee Nation has filed a lawsuit to resolve the issue. "The proper place to settle this issue is in a courtroom, not in Congress," noted Cole. "That is what the Cherokees have chosen to do and, in contrast to the 1830's when the federal government ignored the courts and acted on its own, that is what Congress should do today as well.

A similar version of the bill was introduced during the 110th Congress but never received a hearing.

Recent D.C. Circuit Decision:
Vann v. Kempthorne (July 29, 2008)

Related Stories:
Cherokee Freedmen bill introduced in House (6/15)
Opinion: Treaties and the Five Civilized Tribes
Freedmen protest honoring of Cherokee Nation chief (6/5)
Editorial: 'Shameful' posturing on Freedmen issue (5/7)
Boren and Cole oppose Freedmen investigation (5/6)
African-American lawmakers seek Freedmen probe (5/5)
Cherokee Nation seeks to end Freedmen dispute (2/4)