The Quechan Nation accused judicial nominee Bill Myers of blaming his failure to consult with the tribe on the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The tribe referred to Myers' recent testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. When asked why he met with a company that wants to open a gold mine on a sacred site on September 13, 2001, but didn't do the same for the tribe, he said he couldn't because "planes were all grounded at the time" and he was unable to make the trip to California as the tribe proposed.

"Had [the tribe] wished to meet with me in my office as the mining company did, I would have welcomed them into my office," Myers testified, The Los Angeles Times reported. He later said he met with the tribe but only after he made a decision to withdraw a legal opinion protecting the sacred site.

The testimony is different from the account he gave to the committee on February 5, 2004. When asked whether he talked to the tribe "at all" about his decision, he flatly said, "No I did not." He also said he didn't think a face-to-face meeting with the tribe was necessary.

The committee is set to vote on Myers' nomination today and will probably approve it on a party-line vote.

Get the Story:
Tribe Opposes Appeals Court Nominee (The Los Angeles Times 3/17)
pwlat

Relevant Documents:
Inspector General Letter | NCAI Resolution | Environmental Group's Letter | Holland & Hart Biography

Indianz.Com Profile:
Industry insider named to Interior (March 30, 2001)

From the Indianz.Com Archive:
Myers reversing sacred site opinion (10/25)
Bush nominee has no 'agenda' on Clinton decisions (6/21)

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