Casino Stalker | Legislation | Litigation

House committee passes bill to block Tohono O'odham casino

Thursday, November 17, 2011

The House Natural Resources Committee voted 32-11 today to pass H.R.2938, a bill that bars the Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona from opening an off-reservation casino.

The bill generated considerable debate from members of both parties. Rep. Tom McClintock (R-California) was the only Republican to speak against it even though some Democrats -- including Rep. Dale Kildee (D-Michigan), the co-chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus -- support it.

"This is a matter of the honor of the United States," McClintock said today at a markup session.

H.R.2938 modifies the Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Act of 1986, a law that was passed to compensate the Tohono O'odham Nation for land that was flooded by the federal government. The tribe won't be allowed to engage in Class II or Class III gaming on its replacement lands if the bill becomes law.

The tribe owns 135 acres near Glendale, whose officials object to the proposed West Valley Resort. The law requires the land to be placed in trust but the matter is currently pending before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The bill now goes to the House for full consideration.

Committee Notice:
Full Committee Markup on H.R. 200, H.R. 205, H.R. 1545, H.R. 2027, H.R. 2070, H.R. 2087, H.R. 2454, H.R. 2236, H.R. 2336, H.R. 2362, H.R. 2606, H.R. 2719, H.R. 2834, H.R. 2938, H.R. 3117, H.R. 3404 and S. 535 (November 17, 2011)