Keep pushing - S.536 NAGPRA vote on Tuesday May 10: I like to think that all the helpful bloggers who contributed to getting the word out on McCain's stealth amendment made a difference. Here's the latest from the Friends of America's Past mailing list (my emphases):

The Senate will vote on S.536 which includes the amendment Section 108 to expand NAGPRA's definition of Native American. According to staffer Patrick McMullen, Senator McCain will introduce an amendment to remove this section from S.36 before the voice vote. It would be quite helpful if someone is present to keep tabs on this vote to report the outcome. If McCain overlooks this task, he needs to be questioned closely about it. Follow up with Senator Gordon Smith (OR) and Senator Cantwell (WA) on this issue would also be newsworthy.

Mr McMullen has indicated that hearings will be held on Section 108. However, the committee has not announced a date for the hearing. We hope that the committee will be reasonable and fair in scheduling a hearing with enough advance notice so that a wide range of views can be expressed to the committee.

So it looks as if there was enough complaint from enough sources to focus somebody's attention. However, the vote appears to be coming up very soon (10 May), so I urge all of you who have helped in the past to keep up the pressure. And if any of you live in the D.C. area and have the time to keep an eye on the procedures noted above?

(Related links here.)

Posted by Moira Breen at 04 May 2005 10:00 AM