WASHINGTON, D.C., April 23, 2015 - On March 26, 2015, a bipartisan letter was sent to U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell by Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT), Subcommittee Chairman Don Young (AK-at-large), Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), and Elizabeth H. Esty (D-CT) to express concern with proposed regulations governing tribal recognition (Part 83 of Title 25 of the Code Federal Regulations). Yesterday evening, during a subcommittee oversight hearing on Part 83, the Department announced the rule had already been sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for final review, despite the formal request from Members of Congress that the Department refrain from issuing final regulations until further oversight has been conducted on the proposed revisions.
Chairman Bishop during the hearing addressed Interior Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn on the Department’s failure to consult with Congress.
