Several members of Congress asked former Interior Secretary Gale Norton to halt the federal recognition process after the Bureau of Indian Affairs gave a favorable decision to the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation of Connecticut.

In a "fairly emotional meeting" on Capitol Hill, Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Connecticut), Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Virginia) and two members of Congress who lost election in November criticized the decision to recognize the tribe. But Norton refused to act on their demands, she said in a court deposition.

"The members of Congress felt strongly that I should just stop this process, stop letting any new gaming take place," Norton said, The New London Day reported. "The members of Congress felt strongly that I should just stop this process, stop letting any new gaming take place."

Her stance prompted Wolf, an opponent of all forms of gambling, to make a political threat. "Congressman Wolf said he would tell (President Bush) he thought I ought to be fired," Norton recalled.

Eventually, the Interior Department reversed the Schaghticoke decision, prompting the tribe to file a lawsuit, alleging political interference with the recognition process. A federal judge has given the tribe permission to pursue the claim as part of the case.

Get the Story:
Tribe Gets OK To Re-Examine Denial Process (The New London Day 3/28)
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Relevant Links:
Schaghticoke Tribal Nation - http://www.schaghticoke.com
Interior Board of Indian Appeals Decisions - http://www.ibiadecisions.com

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