Potential Resolution in Six Months

On September 25, 2008 the Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing regarding HR 1294. During this meeting committee chairman, Senator Byron L. Dorgan, said "Virginia tribes could see action within six months on their bill to grant them federal recognition." Not the news they were hoping to hear, but encouraging none the less.

This statement gave the Virginia Indians new hope and optimism for a bill they have been lobbying for since 1999 when Moran introduced the bill. They are optimistic the right thing is going to happen. Because of the current banking crisis Congress's attention was focused on a held over special session addressing the bailout of American banks.

Congress was set to adjourn on September 26, 2008. Doran told them to look ahead to next year. The 110th United States Congress was sworn in on January 4, 2007. It will be in session through noon, January 4, 2009. With a presidential election year upon us this little attention would be focused on Indian affairs.

This bill can never become law during the 110th US Congress. Sessions of Congress last two years, and at the end of each session all proposed bills and resolutions that haven't passed are cleared from the books. The bill will again have to be reintroduced during the new 111th United States Congress.

The One Hundred Eleventh United States Congress will be the next meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It is scheduled to meet in Washington, DC from January 3, 2009 to January 3, 2011.