The Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island is meeting with members of Congress this week in hopes of restoring its gaming rights.

In 1996, the tribe won a ruling that paved the way for a casino on its reservation. But the late Republican Sen. John Chafee put a rider on an appropriations bill that exempts the tribe from the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

At the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) conference yesterday, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-Rhode Island) said he supported efforts to repeal the rider. But he said he couldn't promise that it would pass Congress even though Democrats control the House and Senate.

However, he said he would seek a hearing before the House Resources Committee. He warned tribes that what happened to the Narragansetts could happen to them.

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Kennedy expects congressional hearings on Narragansetts (AP 2/13)