“Why I think this worked this time is because Sen. McConnell was open to putting on our amendment. If Sen. McConnell had not been willing to put this on as an amendment, it would have been very difficult for Steve or myself to try to try to get it on,” said Tester, a Democrat. “But when you have both Democrat and Republican leadership that are on the same page, it makes it much easier.”

Tester said near his Big Sandy farm the Little Shell own land, which could be federally recognized with final passage of the legislation.

Another challenge for recognition will come after the Fourth of July break when the House and Senate versions of the NDAA are reconciled in conference. Currently, the House NDAA doesn’t include Little Shell recognition, but because the House has twice in 10 months easily approved recognition bills introduced by Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., the assumption is recognition language will be added to the House NDAA after the break and before conference. Without companion action in the Senate, Gianforte’s Little Shell bills had no way to advance.

It's been a long journey for the Little Shell recognition. The last time tribal chairman Gerald Gray visited Washington, D.C., he handed Daines a soup can with "Little Shell" scrawled on its side in magic marker. As Daines recalled, Gray told him it was time for Congress to stop kicking the can down the road on Little Shell recognition. The senator said he has kept that can on his desk.

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