Jodi Rave: Rep. Rehberg backs Indian committee

"The U.S. Senate has one, and now House leaders see the need for a permanent committee on Indian affairs, too.

On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to consider an amendment to the House Rules package that would create an Indian affairs committee, similar to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

�The creation of such a committee would be a dramatic step forward in improving the livelihood of all Native Americans, and would signal a commitment on the part of Congress to recognize and address issues important to Indian Country,� said Rehberg in a letter to Pelosi, D-Calif.

Rehberg, in an interview from his Capitol Hill office Thursday, spoke about several high-profile Native issues that deserve the full attention of Congress, including the Elouise Cobell trust-fund reform lawsuit, federal recognition of tribes, and impact aid for federal education programs.

Montana's sole representative said he's always been surprised about Congress' lack of attention to Native issues. �The longer I've been here, it's bugged me. � It's come to my mind, why hasn't the House of Representatives ever done what the Senate did and recognized as an issue and concern of elevating Indian affairs to having its own committee?�"

Get the Story:
Jodi Rave: Rehberg calls for the creation of House Indian affairs panel (The Missoulian 1/5)

Impact Awards:
Elouise Cobell | 2007 Winners

Assignment of New Judge:
Cobell v. Kempthorne (December 7, 2006)

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Kempthorne - http://www.indiantrust.com
Cobell v. Norton, Department of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/cases/cobell/index.htm

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