Senate Indian Affairs Committee approves Native Hawaiian bill

Friday, April 8, 2011  

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee approved S.675, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, at a business meeting on Thursday.

The bill extends the policy of self-determination to Native Hawaiians. Similar versions have passed the House but have always been held up in the Senate.

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), the vice chairman of the committee, raised some of the concerns at the meeting. He said there are constitutional issues to extending federal recognition to Native Hawaiians.

The bill passed by a voice vote.

Get the Story:
Senate committee approves Native Hawaiian measure (AP 4/7)

Committee Notice:
BUSINESS MEETING to consider: S. 675, S. 676 (April 7, 2011)

Senate Indian Affairs Committee to consider two bills at meeting (4/5)