The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas hopes it can finally receive payment for millions of acres of stolen lands.

The tribe lost about 5.5 million acres when the state of Texas gave the land to non-Indians. The federal government failed to object on behalf of the tribe.

As a result, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims recommended compensation of $270.6 million for lost oil and gas royalties, timber harvesting and trespassing. But no one in Congress has stepped forward to settle the dispute.

"This is a process that has been going on for a long time, and we are in contact with tribal leaders as they explore the options," a spokesperson for Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), whose district includes the present-day reservation, told The Austin-American Statesman.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) indicated that he supports resolution of the dispute but hasn't taken any action for the tribe. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) has previously said she doesn't support "reparations" for the tribe.

Get the Story:
Obama giving Texas tribe hope for compensation (The Austin-American Statesman 11/25)

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Alabama-Coushatta Tribe still waiting on big payout (2/27)