Christopher Shays: “Mr. Speaker, it is not an easy process to speak against any bill proposed by any Member, but unfortunately, the…”

“Mr. Speaker, it is not an easy process to speak against any bill proposed by any Member, but unfortunately, the explanation we were just given is the reason why we need to clearly vote down this attempt to circumvent the Bureau of Indian Affairs, because really, then, what we are saying is it is going to be a political process. It is going to be what Congressman do you know? What Congressman has the power? It is going to also be: which Indian tribes have greater motivation to be recognized? Which tribes will be given independent status as a nation within our own country? This is an extraordinary decision. I totally concede the fact that this tribe did exist in 1917. We just do not know, and we will not know until the Bureau of Indian Affairs, with their documentation, ascertains that the tribe that existed in 1917 is the same tribe that we want to recognize, with all the same historic lineage. For us politically to make that determination, frankly, boggles my mind. Mr. Speaker, I would strongly oppose recognition. I would say to both gentlemen from Michigan that we are going to know in 6 months whether the Burt Lake Band will be recognized as a tribe. The BIA has done so much work on this application. It is likely that this tribe will be recognized. It is likely, but not certain.”