Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn, the head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Photo from Twitter

Update: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) has been added to the witness list.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has sent the Part 83 reforms to the federal recognition process to the White House Office of Management and Budget for final review, The Connecticut Mirror reports.

The submission means the final rule is about to be published in the Federal Register. The move is likely to draw opposition from Connecticut, whose officials are trying to prevent state-recognized tribes from securing federal status.

But Connecticut won't be represented at a House Subcommittee Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs hearing tomorrow on the issue. The witness list primarily represents Indian Country:

Mr. Kevin Washburn, Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs
U.S. Department of the Interior
Washington, D.C.

Mr. Brian Cladoosby, President
National Congress of American Indians
Washington, DC

The Honorable Robert Martin, Chairman
Morongo Band of Mission Indians
Banning, CA

Mr. Glen Gobin, Vice-Chair and Business Committee Chair
Tulalip Tribes
Tulalip, WA

The Honorable Fawn Sharp, President
Quinault Indian Nation
Taholah, WA

Mr. Donald C. Mitchell
Attorney at Law
Anchorage, AK

The hearing takes place at 4pm in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building.

Get the Story:
Obama administration moving new tribal recognition rules (The Connecticut Mirror 4/20)

Committee Notice:
Oversight Hearing on "The Obama Administration’s Part 83 Revisions and How They May Allow the Interior Department to Create Tribes, not Recognize Them.” (April 22, 2015)

Federal Register Notices:
Federal Acknowledgment of American Indian Tribes (July 30, 2014)
Federal Acknowledgment of American Indian Tribes (May 29, 2014)

Relevant Documents:
Proposed Rule | Press Release | Comparison Chart (comparing current rule to proposed rule) | Response to Comments on June 2013 Discussion Draft | Frequently Asked Questions

Related Stories:
House subcommittee to hold hearing on BIA recognition reform (4/20)
Lawmakers want BIA to delay new federal recognition reforms (03/27)
BIA expected to finalize changes to federal recognition process (3/24)
Aura Bogado: BIA tries to reform troubled recognition system (10/15)
Editorial: Connecticut tribes should document history to 1789 (10/13)
Editorial: BIA shouldn't weaken standards for federal recognition (10/06)
BIA ends comment period on reform to federal recognition rule (10/1)
BIA holds final meetings on reforms to federal recognition process (09/02)
County hires lobbying firm to oppose federal recognition reforms (08/28)
Connecticut officials want meeting on federal recognition reforms (08/12)
California county opposes changes to federal recognition rules (08/11)
Editorial: BIA fails to explain need for federal recognition reform (08/01)
Tribes criticize veto provisions in BIA federal recognition rule (07/30)
BIA holds final in-person meeting on federal recognition reform (07/29)
BIA extends comment period on federal recognition regulation (7/25)
BIA opens meetings on changes to federal recognition process (07/11)