Copyrighted Image? DMCA | The Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act on Friday, Dec. 12, despite universal outcry from Indian Country over a controversial provision that authorizes developing a copper mine on sacred Apache lands in Arizona. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma), a former member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, who is leaving Congress this year, tried to remove the land swap and other non-military provisions from the 1,648-page package, for the most part a defense bill. The bill easily cleared by the chamber by a 89-11 vote. Having passed the House earlier this month, the land-swap, stuffed inside a defense bill, now heads to President Barack Obama for his signature. The land for a mine affects sacred Apache food, medicinal and ceremonial sites. Although the bill requires consultation of affected tribes, it allows the swap to go through - no matter how strong the objections. |
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