Bill on Osage voting rights awaits president's approval

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A bill to allow the Osage Nation to set its own membership criteria is awaiting President Bush's signature. <br/><br/>If approved, the bill would allow about 20-thousand Osage descendants

Thursday, November 25th 2004, 5:24 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A bill to allow the Osage Nation to set its own membership criteria is awaiting President Bush's signature.

If approved, the bill would allow about 20-thousand Osage descendants across the country to qualify for political rights within the tribe and benefits from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas introduced the bill, which passed the House earlier this year and the Senate last week.

The bill does not affect the tribe's mineral trust, which currently is the basis for Osage voting rights and benefits.