HONOLULU -- Republican Majority Leader Bill Frist has acted on a motion to force debate on the Native Hawaiian Recognition Act, Sen. Daniel Akaka said.

Frist laid down the cloture petition Friday. A vote on the cloture petition is scheduled for Sept. 6. Sixty senators must agree to allow debate on the bill to go forward. If they agree, the motion would ensure debate and a vote on the so-called Akaka bill.

The bill would give Native Hawaiians federal recognition just like Native Americans and Native Alaskans. The governor, the state Legislature and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs support the bill.

Since Congress leaves for its monthlong recess as soon as it finishes business Friday night, there won't be any action on the bill until September.

Six Republican senators put a hold the bill. Some senators want language put into the bill that permanently bans gambling for a new Native Hawaiian government. It is something Akaka is unwilling to do.

Akaka has been pushing for a floor vote on the Akaka Bill for the past two weeks. Both he and Sen. Daniel Inouye said they're disappointed the bill didn't have a chance to get to the floor before the recess. However, they said they were pleased that Frist acted on the cloture petition.