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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2001

Apparently dissatisfied that his alleged expose of the Mashantucket Tribal Nation of Connecticut has resulted in little direct action, Jeff Benedict says he is considering running for Congress.

A little over a year ago, Benedict released "Without Reservation," which claims Congress granted the tribe more land than deserved. He also said the current tribal membership is not descended from the historic Pequot Nation.

To "fix" these problems, Benedict suggested Congress terminate the tribe. Termination would solve the whole land-into-trust and taxation issue, he said.

Since the policy proved destructive and a failure, termination has been disavowed by Congress. It was suspended during the Nixon administration and, at the urging of President Ronald Reagan, it was officially repealed.

In the wake of a Washington State Republican Party flap over termination, national Republican leaders and lawmakers reiterated their opposition to termination. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) and even former Senator Slade Gorton (R-Wash.) said ending the trust relationship with tribes is no longer an option.

Benedict currently resides Massachusetts but has recently purchased a home in Connecticut, reports The New London Day. He has already registered to vote as a Democrat and would eye Connecticut's 2nd Congressional district, a seat currently held by freshman Rob Simmons, a Republican.

The tribe and the towns have been discussing their dispute over trust land due to talks brokered by Simmons. All parties say the talks have been encouraging but not all issues have been resolved.

Get the Story:
Benedict considers bid for Congress (The New London Day 8/1)

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Author advocates termination (7/17)