Senate Democrats temporarily delayed passage of the $328 billion omnibus appropriations bill on Tuesday.

Three Republicans -- Olympia Snowe of Maine, Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado and John McCain of Arizona -- joined Democrats in preventing a final vote on the massive package. But Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota said the bill would pass eventually.

The bill includes provisions that would change the way Alaska Native tribes receive federal funds. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) is denying law enforcement funds to small tribes and to tribes located in certain municipalities. He is authorizing a commission to recommend creation of a unified law enforcement system in Native villages.

Get the Story:
Democrats stall national spending bill -- for now (The Anchorage Daily News 1/21)
Senate Democrats Stall $328 Billion Spending Bill (The Washington Post 1/21)
Senate Democrats Delay Approval of Major Spending Bill (The New York Times 1/21)
pwnyt

Get the Bill:
MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2004, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (House Rpt.108-401)

Related Stories:
Congress returns to session after holiday break (1/19)
Senate Republicans seek passage of spending bill (1/16)
Native firm leases Stevens building for $6M (12/18)
Supreme Court rejects appeal of Native preference case (12/16)
GAO report reviews funding for Alaska Native villages (12/15)
Appropriations measure takes on Alaska Native funding (12/04)
Tribes lobbying against 'harmful' appropriations riders (11/10)
Stevens unapologetic in speech to Alaska Natives (10/27)
Alaska Native: 'We became the other N-word' (10/21)
Stevens remarks on Alaska Natives draw fire (10/7)
Stevens files Alaska Native gaming rider (01/24)