Members of the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut will be able to pursue a federal recognition lawsuit in federal court.

James Benny Jones Jr., a tribal member who has served as the tribe's attorney, filed the lawsuit in January. But Chairman Jim Cunha claimed it was filed without the tribal council's approval.

Judge Emmet G. Sullivan, however, said the case can proceed. He said the "Historic Eastern Pequots" can be substituted as the plaintiff in the lawsuit.

During the Bush administration, the Bureau of Indian Affairs agreed to recognize the tribe. The agency changed its position after challenges from opponents in Connecticut.

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