Senator Akaka Discusses the 2011 Year in Congress

In an exclusive interview with the Indian Country Today Media Network, Senate Indian Affairs Committee Chairman, Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Alaska) talks about the past year in Congress as well as his plans for 2012 and beyond. 

Akaka, who announced early this that he would be retiring at the end of this Congress, said that his two primary legislative goals for his last year in Congress include passing the the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act as well as Carcieri Fix legislation.

With regards to Carcieri, Akaka said:

Many lawmakers do not understand the economic and public safety consequences associated with the Carcieri decision. Carcieri has created instability in Native and rural communities across the country, and a legislative fix would create over 100,000 jobs for American workers and significantly improve law enforcement on reservations and in surrounding areas.

To read the entire interview, follow this link to "Akaka looks back at 2011 and Looks Forward to Last Year in Congress."