Right Now

The Senate is now debating the Native Hawaiian Government Reform Act (S. 147), a bill that will give Native Hawaiians Indian tribal status, and the authority to create a parallel government in the State of Hawaii.

Click here to read a Republican Policy Committee report on the bill.

 

John Fund recently wrote on the bill on the editorial pages of the Wall Street Journal:

America's motto is "E pluribus unum," Latin for "Out of many, one." Some U.S. senators seem to be reading it backward. This week the Senate will consider legislation that would create an independent, race-based government for Native Hawaiians. If the bill becomes law, it would create a racial spoils system that would hand special privileges to up to one-fifth of the state's population--including many with only a trace of Hawaiian blood. It could inspire mainland groups such as Hispanic separatists to seek similar spoils, should they ever gain enough political leverage.  Click here to read the rest of the column.