Tribal recognition was almost complete in 2018. Gianforte’s Little Shell bill was approved by the House. But in the Senate, the Daines and Tester bill stalled on the objection of Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah. A procedural matter made it possible for Lee to prevent the bill from receiving a vote in December.

The senators said Tuesday that they expect the bill will pass this year.

“The Little Shell have fought too long to secure what is rightfully theirs, and today’s passage of the Little Shell Recognition Act in the House is a step in the right direction,” Tester said in a press release. "I’m going to keep fighting until we get this important bill through the Senate and make sure we do right by the Little Shell."

Both Tester and Daines have introduced recognition bills more than once, only to be turned back.

"I'm glad to see the Little Shell Tribe today get one step closer to receiving federal recognition with bill passage in the House under Congressman Gianforte's great leadership," Daines said in an email. "Little Shell is an important part of our state's heritage, and I will keep fighting in the U.S. Senate to ensure they finally receive this long overdue recognition."

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