Daniel Akaka: “I just want to mention on the sovereignty rebuttal, the Federal policy of self-governance and self-determination allows…”

“I just want to mention on the sovereignty rebuttal, the Federal policy of self-governance and self-determination allows for a government-to-government relationship between indigenous people. This is not new. It exists right now between the United States and 556 tribes, 556 native governments. The continued representation of this bill as an unprecedented new action is just plain wrong. With all due respect to my colleagues, as I said earlier, Native Hawaiians are proud to be Americans. Native Hawaiians, however, are indigenous peoples and Congress has the authority to recognize indigenous peoples. I yield. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Hampshire.”