The Senate Indian Affairs Committee on Wednesday took testimony on S.297, a bill to change the federal recognition process.

Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) said the bill probably won't get to the floor due to opposition to key provisions. The Bureau of Indian Affairs says the provisions will weaken the standards for federal recognition and prevent interested parties from obtaining information about petitioning groups.

Former assistant secretaries Kevin Gover and Neal McCaleb said they supported provisions to beef up BIA staff and resources. Before he left the Clinton administration, Gover endorsed stripping the BIA of its recognition duties and handing them to an independent entity. McCaleb, during his tenure, opposed the idea.

Get the Story:
Proposed changes to tribal recognition process get mixed reviews (AP 4/21)
Interior department opposes changes in tribal recognition (The Las Vegas Review-Journal 4/22)
Tribes, Officials Wait To Have Their Say On Recognition (The New London Day 4/22)
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