The House is set to vote today on H.R.2938, a bill that prevents the Tohono O’odham Nation of Arizona from opening a casino.

In 1986, Congress passed the Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Act. The law compensated the tribe for lands that were flooded by the federal government and authorized the selection of replacement lands.

Using settlement funds, the tribe has purchased new lands, including 135 acres near the city of Glendale. The tribe wants to build the West Valley Resort on the site but local officials are fighting the project.

The 1986 law mandates that the tribe's replacements lands be placed in trust. H.R.2938 doesn't affect that provision but it bars Class II and Class III gaming on the site near Glendale.

Debate began on the bill yesterday but a vote was postponed until today, according to the House majority leader's schedule.

Get the Story:
House debates bill to block Tohono O’odham casino in Glendale (Cronkite News 6/18)

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