"It just gives us more encouragement that we are making progress," said Wayne Adkins, an assistant chief with the Chickahominy tribe and president of the Virginia Indian Tribal Alliance for Life. "It's been a long, slow process, so any positive step like that gives us a little more to hold onto."

The Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act allows the Chickahominy, Chickahominy Eastern Division, Monacan Indian Nation, Nansemond, Rappahannock and Upper Mattaponi tribes to grapple for educational funds and other grants, as well as health care benefits open to federally recognized tribes.

U.S. Rep. James P. Moran, a Democrat, initially introduced the bill in 1999. The measure has seen limited progress over the years, in part because of concerns that it would result in the tribes pursuing casino and gambling interests in the state, accusations the bill's supporter’s dispute.

The U.S. House passed a version of the legislation in May 2007 that curtailed the tribes' ability to pursue casino deals, the first time the measure had cleared either congressional chamber. The legislation then was sent to the Senate Indian Affairs Committee and is scheduled for a hearing Sept. 25 - one day before Congress is scheduled to leave town for recess.

Policymakers are not expecting to return until after the November presidential election, meaning time is running out for the bill to make it to the Senate floor for possible passage this year.
"We know we're up against pretty tall odds right now, because time is running out," Adkins said. "Being an election year, too, it's just going to be difficult."

Moran said it's possible that lawmakers could pass the measure in a last-minute rush this year, but added he's not optimistic. He said having the hearing will at least build momentum for efforts to pass the bill next year.

"It means that even if we don't get the legislation done at the end of the year, we have a stronger record to begin next year's effort," Mr. Moran said. "I think eventually we will get this."
The tribes covered by the bill consist of roughly 3,500 people residing mostly in the Tidewater area of the state, Adkins said.

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