Some members of the House Resources Committee are considering a bill that would allow the Makah Nation of Washington to exercise its treaty rights without seeking a waiver under federal law.

A spokesperson for the House Resources Committee told The Peninsula Daily News that there is "some talk" of drafting a bill. It would allow the tribe to hunt whale without going through the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the law limited the tribe's treaty rights.

The House committee, headed by Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), passed a non-binding resolution, H.CON.RES.267, in support of the tribe's treaty rights on Wednesday. The resolution, sponsored by Pombo, expresses dissatisfaction with the abrogation of the tribe's rights under the 9th Circuit decision.

Get the Story:
Federal legislation being considered to clear way for Makah to hunt whales (The Peninsula Daily News 10/21)

Relevant Links:
Makah Nation - http://www.makah.com
Makah Request for a Waiver of the Moratorium on Taking Marine Mammals - http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/mmammals/graywhales/index.html

Related Stories:
House panel passes Makah whaling resolution (10/20)
Pombo introduces pro-Makah whaling resolution (10/19)
House Resources Committee to take up Makah bill (10/18)
Another meeting held on Makah Nation whale hunt (10/12)
Second meeting on Makah whale hunt held (10/7)
Meetings scheduled on Makah Nation whale hunt (10/03)
Makah Nation await approval to restart whale hunt (09/19)
Litigation expected over Makah whale hunt waiver (08/26)
Hearings set on Makah Nation whale hunt waiver (8/25)
Makah Nation: Our right to whaling is being denied (06/02)
Makah Nation effort on whale hunt seen as long shot (03/21)
Washington tribes press Congress on whale hunt (03/11)
Makah Nation to seek waiver to conduct whale hunt (02/14)
Makah Nation celebrates with Russian Natives (10/27)
Russian Natives, Makah Nation share culture, whales (10/25)
Appeals court shoots down Makah whaling case (06/08)
Makah Nation marks fifth year since first whale hunt (05/17)
Tribes and U.S. seek review of whale hunt ruling (03/14)
Opinion: Makah Nation whale hunt is not legal (02/12)
Makah whale hunt faces another review (12/23)
Federal judge shoots down treaty challenge (08/09)
U.S. pushes for whaling rights (6/10)
Whale hunt a go for Makah Nation (7/16)
Makah whale hunt faces threat (3/30)
Friends, foes turn out for Makah hearing (2/2)
Makah whale hunt up for review (01/16)
Court rules on Makah whaling (6/12)
Makah ruling overturned (6/9)
Metcalf's Indian history (6/9)