A bill to distribute a $143 million trust fund to members of the Western Shoshone Nation has been stalled in the House by Democratic leaders, Republican Jim Gibbons (R) said.

Gibbons, of Nevada, said opponents to the bill have "stirred up the Democrats." The Senate has approved the measure.

The trust fund grew out of a $26 million "payment" for 26 million acres of lost land. Some Western Shoshone tribal members say they won't accept money for land that was not taken from the legally. Some also want the option to restore some of the land base.

Members of the Shoshone Nation belong to tribes in Nevada, Utah, California and Idaho.

Get the Story:
Gibbons wants counties to have land sale option (The Elko Daily Free Press 3/15)

Relevant Documents:
House Resources Committee: Written Witness Testimony (June 18, 2003)

Get the Bill:
Western Shoshone Claims Distribution Act (H.R.884)

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