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Senate committee to take up Ross Swimmer again
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2003

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will reconsider the nomination of Ross Swimmer as Special Trustee tomorrow, an aide said.

Panel members voted 10-3 last week to advance Swimmer to the Senate floor but procedural objections delayed the nomination. Paul Moorehead, the Republican staff director, said the quorum was challenged.

Some Democrats, including Tim Johnson of South Dakota, have objected to Swimmer moving forward, citing concerns of tribes. Swimmer was a former assistant secretary during the Reagan administration and critics say he failed to fix the broken trust system. He now serves in an expanded trust oversight capacity at the Department of Interior.

After Swimmer is reviewed, the committee will hold its second hearing on the fiscal year 2004 budget request. Several Bush administration officials will testify, including an official from the Census Bureau, a first for the panel, Moorehead said.

Acting special trustee Donna Erwin and acting assistant secretary Aurene Martin are expected to testify about the Interior's budget request.

The hearing will be used to formulate the Indian committee's "views and estimates letter." Moorehead said it will be a lengthy "critique" of President Bush's budget.

Relevant Documents:
Written Witness Testimony (2/12)

Relevant Links:
Office of Special Trustee - http://www.ost.doi.gov
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com