Watson's Bill to Cut Off Federal Funds to Indians

Summary

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"It's a matter of law, justice and fairness," said Congrcsswoman Diane Watson who is currently pushing legislation that would cut federal funds from the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma until they uphold the rights of the Black Cherokees, or Cherokee freedmen.

Previously, a severance amendment was attached to bill H.R. 2786, the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Reauthorization Act of 2007. During a floor debate of that bill, Congressman Mel Watt offered it along with Congressman Dan Boren's amendment that would set aside Watt's as long as the freedmen were able to successfully appeal the March 3 vote. Watson's bill, H.R. 2824 aims to sever United States relations with the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma "until such time restores full tribal citizenship to the Black Cherokees."

It pains me over forty years after the passage of the historic Civil Rights Act that legislation has to be introduced to compel the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma to recognize the basic civil rights of the Cherokee freedmen.

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Extract

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Watson's Bill to Cut Off Federal Funds to Indians

"It's a matter of law, justice and fairness," said Congrcsswoman Diane Watson who is currently pushing legislation that would cut federal funds from the Cherokee Nation o...

See the full content of this document

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