The House Natural Resources Committee on Thursday approved legislation for two off-reservation casinos in Michigan.

H.R. 2176 and H.R. 4115 settle land claims for the Bay Mills Indian Community and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The tribes would be able to open casinos on sites hundreds of miles away from their existing reservations.

The Bay Mills bill passed by a 21-5 vote while the Soo Tribe one passed by a 26-5 vote. But there are bigger battles ahead, said Rep. Dale E. Kildee (D-Michigan), the co-chairman of the Congressional Native American Caucus who supports the legislation.

"Whenever you combine gaming and money to be made, you find a lot of people interested who were never interested in Indians before," Kildee told The Washington Post.

Michigan's delegation is split on the issue. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus oppose the legislation, saying the casinos will hurt Detroit, which is home to three commercial casinos.

Get the Story:
Casino Battle Rages in Congress (The Washington Post 2/14)
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Casino bill gets past obstacle (The Port Huron Times Herald 2/14)
Bill for 2 new state casinos advances (The Detroit Press 2/14)
Casino outcome may be imminent (The Romulus Roman 2/14)