Rep. Diane Watson (D-California) has once again introduced a bill to cut federal funds to the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma until the Freedmen are restored to citizenship.

Watson and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus say the Cherokees violated an 1866 treaty by denying citizenship to the Freedmen, who are the descendants of former slaves. They want the Interior Department to determine whether the tribe is complying with the treaty.

If the tribe isn't in compliance, H.R.2761 cuts all federal aid to the tribe and bars the tribe from engaging in gaming It also authorizes individual Freedmen to sue the Cherokee Nation for civil rights violations, an issue discussed in a recent D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decision.

The Cherokee Nation recently filed a lawsuit in hopes of ending the dispute.

Also Today:
Kevin James: Freedmen a fed issue (The Tahlequah Daily Press 6/12)

Recent D.C. Circuit Decision:
Vann v. Kempthorne (July 29, 2008)

Related Stories:
Opinion: Treaties and the Five Civilized Tribes
Freedmen protest honoring of Cherokee Nation chief (6/5)
Editorial: 'Shameful' posturing on Freedmen issue (5/7)
Boren and Cole oppose Freedmen investigation (5/6)
African-American lawmakers seek Freedmen probe (5/5)
Cherokee Nation seeks to end Freedmen dispute (2/4)