Federal Recognition
Senate committee to hold recognition hearing


The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday for a bill to change the federal recognition process.

Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) is the sponsor of S.297, the Federal Acknowledgment Process Reform Act. The bill seeks to clarify the standards by which a group seeking recognition will be reviewed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The guidelines generally follow BIA regulations but allow for leeway in evidence due to actions by state or federal governments.

The hearing begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Russell Senate office building.