The Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona headed into a Capitol Hill hearing this week on the defensive but found some support for its off-reservation casino.

Nearly all of the witnesses invited by the House Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs testified in favor of H.R.2938, a bill that blocks the proposed casino. But the Obama administration and Bob Barrett, who serves as mayor of Peoria, came out against the measure.

"Let us be clear from the outset about what H.R. 2938 really is: job-killing special interest legislation designed to protect existing Indian gaming operations and those who benefit from those operations," Barrett said in his written testimony, referring to tribal opponents whose revenues would be affected by the West Valley Resort.

The Obama administration also said the bill breaks a promise to the tribe. In 1986, Congress enacted the Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Act to replace a reservation that was flooded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The tribe so far has won rulings in federal court to use 135 acres for a casino. Opponents have taken the case to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Get the Story:
Mayor goes to Washington to oppose Franks’ bill (The Peoria Times 10/7)

Committee Notice:
Subcommittee on Indians and Alaska Native Affairs Legislative Hearing on H.R. 2938 (October 4, 2011)

Related Stories:
Tohono O'odham Nation threatens lawsuit over anti-casino bill (10/5)
Tohono O'odham Nation poll shows support for casino project (10/4)
Witness list for House hearing on Tohono O'odham casino bill (10/3)
House subcomittee to take up Tohono O'odham Nation casino bill (9/27)
Rep. Kildee signs onto anti-Tohono O'odham Nation casino bill (9/22)
Tohono O'odham Nation gathers support against anti-casino bill (9/21)
Rep. Grijalva opposes bill to halt Tohono O'odham Nation casino (9/19)
Press conference for bill to block Tohono O'odham Nation casino (9/16)
Bill bars Tohono O'odham Nation from gaming on acquired land (9/15)
Rep. Franks to introduce bill to outlaw Tohono O'odham casino (9/14)
Lawmaker drafts bill to block Tohono O'odham Nation casino (9/13)