Five Republican and conservative-leaning members of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights sent a letter to House leaders to object to H.R.2314, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009.

The commissioners say the bill creates a "race-based" government of Native Hawaiians. "The creation of the largest tribal entity in the history of the nation – potentially 400,000 strong – is too important a step to take this lightly," the five members said.

The bill extends the policy of self-determination to Native Hawaiians. It creates a process by which a Native Hawaiian governing entity would be created and approved by the Interior Department.

The bill is due to be considered this week, according to the House majority leader.

Get the Story:
Peter Kirsanow: Akaka: Bad Bill, Bad Process (The National Review 2/22)
Final text of Akaka Bill released (The Honolulu Star-Bulletin 2/22)
U.S. House may vote today on Akaka bill (The Honolulu Advertiser 2/23)

Related Stories:
GOP lawmaker expects vote on Native Hawaiians (2/19)
Opinion: Understanding Native Hawaiian recognition bills (01/15)
Editorial: Left in the dark about Native Hawaiian bill (12/21)
Senate panel passes Native Hawaiian recognition bill (12/18)
Editorial: Racial segregation and Native Hawaiians (12/17)
House panel approves Native Hawaiian recognition (12/17)
Audio: House Resources Committee opens markup (12/16)
House panel to consider Indian arts, Hawaiian bill (12/15)
Editorial: 'Racist' Native Hawaiian recognition (09/10)
Editorial: Native Hawaiians and Westerners (08/10)
Obama supports Native Hawaiian recognition (08/07)
Indian Affairs Committee meeting and hearing (8/6)
Witness list for hearing on Native Hawaiian bill (8/5)
House hearing on Native Hawaiian recognition (06/11)
Witness list for hearing on Hawaiian recognition (6/9)
House hearing on Native Hawaiian recognition (6/8)
Shingle Springs Band eyes Hawaiian recognition (5/13)
Opinion: Native Hawaiian tribe a boost for Democrats (2/23)
Obama promises push for Native Hawaiian bill (2/16)
Editorial: Restore Native Hawaiian sovereignty (2/9)
Native Hawaiian recognition bill revived in Congress (2/5)