House markup on off-reservation gaming bills

Wednesday, April 2, 2008  

The House Judiciary Committee is holding a markup session this morning on two off-reservation gaming bills.

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 receive off-reservation land where they could open casinos.

The House Natural Resources Committee already approved the bills. But most Judiciary members, including Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Michigan), the committee chairman, oppose the bills.

Most of the opposition stems from the impact the tribal casinos would have on Detroit's commercial casinos. MGM Mirage, which operates a casino in Detroit, has been lobbying heavily against the measures.

Conyers and his allies also say Congress would set a precedent by settling a land claim that involves gaming. Congress approved a similar bill for the Seneca Nation of New York.

Get the Story:
House committee to discuss bills that would allow 2 new Mich. Indian casinos (The Detroit Free Press 4/2)