Three members of Congress say the executive branch cannot restore recognition to a terminated tribe.

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-California) and Rep. Mike Thompson (D-California) say the Interior Department can't enter in a settlement to recognize the Mishewal Wappo Tribe. They say only Congress has that power.

“We believe it is inappropriate for the Department to execute this kind of settlement agreement,” the members of Congress said in a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reported.

In prior cases in California, the executive branch restored recognition to tribes that were terminated by acts of Congress. The courts found that the process was unlawful or was never fully executed.

The Mishewal Wappo Tribe was terminated by an act of Congress in 1959. The tribe is in settlement talks with the Obama administration.

Get the Story:
Woolsey, Thompson oppose tribal status for Wappos (The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat 5/24)

Related Stories:
Counties fight to remain in Mishewal Wappo Tribe's lawsuit (4/14)
DOJ wants two counties out of Mishewal Wappo Tribe's lawsuit (4/8)
Opinion: Recognition for Mishewal Wappo Tribe is devastating (3/18)
Editorial: County rightly worried about Mishewal Wappo casino (2/22)
County takes battle against Mishewal Wappo Tribe to Capitol Hill (2/10)
County settles federal recognition case with Mishewal Wappo Tribe (2/2)
City seeks to join lawsuit over Mishewal Wappo Tribe recognition (12/15)
Judge lets counties join Mishewal Wappo recognition lawsuit (6/15)
Judge delays hearing over Mishewal Wappo recognition (4/20)
County cites gaming fears in Mishewal Wappo lawsuit (3/9)
Judge delays hearing over Mishewal Wappo recognition (6/2)
Mishewal Wappo Tribe not thinking about casino for now (1/20)