A historic measure that would allow Maine’s tribes to benefit from future federal Indian laws looks unlikely to be adopted by the U.S. Senate before the current Congress ends early in the New Year.

The bill, introduced and championed by Rep. Jared Golden, D-2nd District, passed the House on July 14 as an amendment to the annual defense spending authorization bill. But the bill – which only affects Maine’s tribes – lacks a champion in the Senate.

Sen. Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats and who was a lawyer before entering politics, told the Press Herald that he opposes the bill, echoing the objections of Gov. Janet Mills.