Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is opposing S.236, a bill that would limit government contracting for Alaska Native corporations.

Murkowski doesn't believe there's enough support to pass the bill. She said Congress should wait for the results of new Small Business Administration regulations affecting Native contracting.

"Let's see if these regulations that have been promulgated, how they provide for that level of accountability that we're all looking for," Murkowski told the Associated Press.

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) introduced S.236 on January 31. It removes "Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation" from a key definition in SBA's 8(a) program and it makes other changes that affect Native corporations.

The bill was referred to the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee.

Get the Story:
Murkowski defends Native contracts worth billions (AP 4/19)

Committee Hearing:
Oversight Hearing on Promise Fulfilled: The Role of the SBA 8(a) Program in Enhancing Economic Development in Indian Country (April 7, 2011)

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Kevin Abourezk: Lance Morgan to testify at Senate 8(a) hearing (4/4)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee sets hearing on 8(a) at SBA (3/31)