Ron Kaufman, a Republican lobbyist who represented the Eastern Pequot Tribe of Connecticut in its successful quest for federal recognition, has been nominated to head a Department of Interior commission.

A Democrat lawmaker and the former head of the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission criticized the appointment. Kaufman is the brother-in-law of Andrew Card, President Bush's chief of staff.

The Bush administration gave final recognition to the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation in the summer of 2002. Former assistant secretary Neal McCaleb said the tribe was made of two factions.

Get the Story:
GOP figure to lead Cape seashore body (The Boston Globe 1/28)

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