Catawba Nation expects GOP opposition on gaming

Monday, October 15, 2007  

The Catawba Nation of South Carolina expects state Republicans to oppose efforts to place the tribe under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The tribe hasn't approached Congress with any proposals to do that. But attorney Jay Bender said it would be a hard sell.

"Opposition could be expected from the Republican members of the delegation on the grounds it would be sinful to have a second government in South Carolina in the gambling business, and that continuing problem that Republicans have with people that aren't white," Bender said in a statement given to The Orangeburg Times and Democrat.

The tribe settled its land claim in 1993 through an act of Congress. The law barred the tribe from falling under IGRA through it authorized two gaming facilities under state law.

Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-South Carolina), the third-ranking Democrat in the House, has suggested amending the settlement act to allow the tribe to engage in gaming under IGRA. He said he hasn't been asked by the tribe to do so.

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