Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
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Yesterday (9/23/02), Senator Murray voted against the Dodd Amendment to the fiscal year 2003 Senate Interior Bill. Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) moved to table, or kill, the amendment, and the Senate supported Senator Inouye by a vote of 80 to 15.

The Dodd Amendment would have written into law several criteria for federal recognition which are currently in federal regulations but not in statute. The language also would have prohibited the Secretary of Interior from recognizing any new tribes until the Department puts specific procedures in place. As a result of this prohibition, the Dodd Amendment was widely viewed as a temporary moratorium on recognition of new tribes.

Senator Murray agrees the existing federal recognition process needs to be improved so that criteria are applied more consistently and decisions are made with greater transparency. She also believes the Interior Department should be given increased resources to reduce the amount of time it takes for the Department to make final decisions concerning federal recognition. However, Senator Murray does not believe the Dodd Amendment to the Interior Appropriations bill is the correct way to accomplish changes to the existing, albeit flawed, process.

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is currently considering legislation making significant changes to the federal recognition process, and Senator Murray believes this Committee is the proper venue for improving the federal recognition process.

The Quinault Legislation Passes Senate

On Wednesday, September 18, the Senate unanimously passed S. 1308, the Quinault Permanent Fisheries Fund Act. The Quinault Nation approached Senator Murray last year and asked her to introduce this bill. The legislation authorizes the Department of Interior to transfer to the Tribe funds the that Tribe received as compensation for damages to its fishery. Rep. Norm Dicks has introduced companion legislation in the House. Senator Murray is glad the Senate has now passed S. 1308, and hopes the House will do the same before the end of the 107th Congress.