Sen. Jim Webb today repeated his call for federal recognition of six Indian tribes from Virginia, as the U.S. Senate considers a bill this week to improve health care services provided to Native American tribes.

"At a time when we are debating how to effectively promote Indian health care, it is important that we grant these six Virginia tribes access to essential federal health programs," Webb said.

More from the release:

After meeting with leaders of Virginia's Indian tribes and months of thorough investigation of the facts, Webb endorsed the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2007 (H.R. 1294) last year.

The legislation would qualify six of Virginia's tribes for benefits provided through the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other federal agencies. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the bill last May.

"I have spent several months examining the issue of federal recognition in great detail, including the rich history and culture of Virginia's tribes," said Webb. "My staff and I asked a number of tough questions and concluded that federal recognition is justified based on principles of dignity and fairness."

"These six tribes meet the established standards for proper recognition on a federal level and should be placed on equal footing with our nation's 562 other federally recognized tribes," said Webb.

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times