By a voice vote, the House last week passed H.R. 1560, a bill that allows the Tigua Tribe of Texas.

In 1968, Congress placed the tribe under state jurisdiction. The tribe was restored to federal status in 1987 but the law imposed a one-eighth blood quantum requirement on members.

"It is an internal insult," Lt. Gov. Carlos Hisa told Scripps Howard Foundation Wire. "We don't measure being a Native American or a citizen of this pueblo based only on blood. It's based on who you are and your involvement with the community."

The bill will eliminate the requirement and allow the tribe to set its own standards. The Senate will now take up the measure.

Get the Story:
Tigua legislation heads to Senate (Scripps Howard Foundation Wire 12/12)

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House Natural Resources Committee hosts markup on Wednesday (7/18)
Tigua Tribe lobbies Congress to return its membership rights (6/24)