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Federal
recognition bill status update Amended Hawaiian Recognition Bill Passes Senate Committee On March 9, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee unanimously passed an amended version of the Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, also known as the “Akaka Bill” after its primary sponsor, Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii). The passage came after the bill was amended to clarify that the measure does not authorize eligibility of Native Hawaiians for federal Indian programs and services. The amendment was submitted by Akaka and Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) jointly with Indian Affairs Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) and was designed to address concerns McCain had expressed about the bill. Akaka said the amendment will not adversely impact Hawaiian programs because “Native Hawaiians already have federal programs addressing matters including health, education, and housing which are separately authorized and appropriated.” This is the fourth time the Indian Affairs Committee has approved a Hawaiian federal recognition bill. In the three previous congressional cycles, the bill has failed to reach a full vote on the Senate floor. At the end of last year’s session, however, the Senate leadership promised that the bill would get a full floor vote this year. " I am very pleased that the committee has voted for the fourth time to favorably report this bill,” Akaka said, “and I appreciate Chairman McCain's cooperation in expediting the favorable consideration of this measure. We have a challenging road ahead of us as we prepare for a debate and roll call vote on the Senate floor." Akaka’s press secretary, Donalyn Dela Cruz, said the senator is optimistic that the Hawaii delegation can garner enough votes to win full Senate approval for the bill. The House of Representatives, meanwhile, voted solidly to back the recognition bill during the last Congress and is expected to do so again. The Native Hawaiian Government reorganization Act, which this year is designated as Senate Bill 147 and House Resolution 309, would set up a process through which the federal government, through the Department of the Interior, would extend formal political recognition to a yet-to-be-formed Native Hawaiian governing body. "
This legislation is of vital importance to the State of Hawaii
as it reaffirms that Native Hawaiians are both citizens of the
State of Hawaii and of the United States, and, like other indigenous,
native people of America, have their own distinct status under
the law,” said Inouye. “I am pleased that the committee
has shown its understanding and sensitivity in supporting this
bill that allows Native Hawaiians to seek self-determination
and the right to self-governance as federal policies have recognized
for the last 35 years." |
