Rep. Kildee signs onto anti-Tohono O'odham Nation casino bill

Thursday, September 22, 2011  

A bill to stop the Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona from building an off-reservation casino gained an unlikely supporter on Wednesday -- Rep. Dale Kildee (D-Michigan).

Kildee, who is retiring at the end of the 112th Congress, is the only Democrat so far who has signed onto H.R.2938, the Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Clarification Act. The bill prevents the tribe from using newly acquired land for a casino near Glendale.

Kildee is the co-chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus and has been a strong advocate for tribes. During the 109th Congress, he opposed a controversial bill that would have restricted off-reservation gaming.

However, he opposed an off-reservation gaming bid in Michigan due to objections from other tribes. The Tohono O'odham Nation has seen opposition from other tribes in Arizona.

Get the Story:
Franks introduces bill to stop proposed casino (The Glendale Star 9/22)

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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)