Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-Conn.) has asked the General Accounting Office to investigate the Bureau of Indian Affairs' decision to recognize the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation.

Johnson wrote a letter to the GAO seeking answers to three questions. She wants to know why the BIA changed its mind and said sufficient evidence existed to show continuous political influence within the tribe. She also wants to know if the BIA is overstepping its authority by relying on state recognition when making rulings on tribes in Connecticut.

The BIA, in a preliminary decision, said the tribe did not qualify. But after evaluating additional evidence, researchers said the tribe met all seven mandatory criteria.

In response to a prior Congressional inquiry, GAO did not find any wrongdoing with federal recognition decisions made during the Clinton administration.

Get the Story:
Johnson Requests Immediate Federal Investigation into Schaghticoke Decision (Johnson 2/6)
Shays wants gaming probe (The Fairfield County Hour 2/9)
Johnson hits Bureau of Indian Affairs for tribe recognition (The New Haven Register 2/7)
Probe Sought On Tribe Decision (AP 2/7)
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Schaghticoke Recognition Sparks Opposition (The New London Day 2/7)
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Relevant Documents:
Federal Register Notice | BIA Statement | Richard Blumenthal Statement | Rep. Shays Statement

Relevant Links:
Schaghticoke Tribal Nation - http://www.schaghticoke.com

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