Daniel Akaka: “I first introduced this bill, together with the members of Hawaii's Congressional Delegation, in 1999. And, I have…”

“I first introduced this bill, together with the members of Hawaii's Congressional Delegation, in 1999. And, I have introduced a similar bill every Congress. In each Congress, the bill has been favorably reported by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and its companion measure has been favorably reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources. During the 109th Congress, Senator Inouye and I were successful in filing a cloture motion to proceed to the bill. This procedural action required 60 votes to bring the bill, S. 147, to the Senate floor for a full debate and vote. Falling four votes short of the required 60 votes, cloture was not invoked. As a result, the Senate has not yet voted on the substance and merits of this bill. In fact, the cloture vote demonstrated that if the measure was considered on an up-or-down vote, the votes are here to pass it by a simple majority. Senator Inouye and I are currently working to have S. 310 considered by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in the near future, and brought to the Senate floor shortly thereafter.”