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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2001

Rep. Rob Simmons (R-Conn.) introduced a bill on Wednesday to double the money available to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to recognize tribes.

The BIA's current recognition budget is about $900,000. Simmons wants to double it to $1.8 million.

Simmons also wants to create a $10 million fund for local governments impacted by the recognition of a tribe. The BIA doesn't provide nearly that amount of money to newly acknowledges tribes.

Simmons' bill also bars top-level BIA officials from appearing before the agency within a year after leaving their job.

Get the Story:
Bill would reform the way government recognizes tribes (The New London Day 12/20)

Relevant Links:
Branch of Acknowledgment and Research - http://www.doi.gov/bia/ack_res.html

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Solutions sought for 'hijacked' recognition (11/9)