Akaka Bill Debate Stalled
Officials Optimistic About Senate Vote
POSTED: 4:50 pm HST July 18, 2005
UPDATED: 5:00 pm HST July 18, 2005
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WASHINGTON -- Debate on the Native Hawaiian Government Recognition Act was expected to begin on the Senate floor Monday afternoon. However, politics stalled the debate.Senators were scheduled to vote on Senate Bill 147 on Wednesday, but political posturing and some last-minute maneuvering held up Monday's discussion on the bill.Officials said they are optimistic that the bill will be heard in the Senate as soon as Tuesday.
Discuss Native Hawaiian Rights
The governor, the state Legislature and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs support the bill.The bill has been referred to as the "Akaka Bill" after Sen. Daniel Akaka, the first Native Hawaiian to serve in Congress. The bill is an attempt to set up a process for Native Hawaiians to form their own government.The vote may or may not happen this week.If the bill doesn't make it to the Senate floor by the end of next week, it will have to wait until after Congress comes back from recess in September.The bill would give Native Hawaiians the same rights as Native Americans and Native Alaskans.
Discuss Native Hawaiian Rights The governor, the state Legislature and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs support the bill.The bill has been referred to as the "Akaka Bill" after Sen. Daniel Akaka, the first Native Hawaiian to serve in Congress. The bill is an attempt to set up a process for Native Hawaiians to form their own government.The vote may or may not happen this week.If the bill doesn't make it to the Senate floor by the end of next week, it will have to wait until after Congress comes back from recess in September.The bill would give Native Hawaiians the same rights as Native Americans and Native Alaskans.
Previous Stories:
- July 15, 2005: OHA Officials Prepare For Akaka Bill Hearings
- July 14, 2005: Akaka Bill Faces Critical Congressional Vote
- July 7, 2005: Hawaiian Group Wants OHA To Air Ads Against Akaka Bill
- March 31, 2005: Hawaii Congressional Leaders Optimistic About Akaka Bill
- March 2, 2005: Lingle, Groups Lobby Congress On Hawaiian Recognition
- January 25, 2005: Akaka Reintroduces Hawaiian Rights Bill
- October 11, 2004: Senators Abandon Hawaiian Recognition Bill For 2004
- September 15, 2004: Akaka Bill Passes Out Of Congressional Committee
- July 9, 2004: Hawaii Senators Battle To Keep Akaka Bill Alive
- July 8, 2004: Akaka Bill Suffers Setback
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