NIGC

Senate committee approves NIGC nominee Jonodev Chaudhuri

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Jonodev Chaudhuri. Photo from Twitter

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee on Wednesday approved the nomination of Jonodev Chaudhuri to serve as chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission.

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), the chairman of the committee, made good on his promise to move quickly on Chaudhuri, who is a member of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma. The nomination can now be considered by the full Senate.

“I’m delighted the committee quickly approved Mr. Chaudhuri’s nomination,” Barrasso said in a press release. “I have met personally with Mr. Chaudhuri. I am confident that he will ensure the principles of integrity and accountability are carried out by the commission during his time as chairman. I hope to see his nomination passed by the full Senate soon.”

NIGC has been without an official chairman since September 2013. At his confirmation hearing last week, Chaudhuri said the agency has been able to function normally but said the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act envisions a permanent leader.

Indianz.Com SoundCloud: Nomination Hearing to consider Jonodev Osceola Chaudhuri, of Arizona, to be Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission

"There is a need to have confirmed chairman," Chaudhuri told the committee. "IGRA contemplates a confirmed chairman -- one nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. It's essentially a constitutional officer that needs to be running an agency of the NIGC's importance."

Chaudhuri joined the NIGC in September 2013 as vice chair and has served as acting chairman since then.

Committee Notices:
Business Meeting to consider S. 35, S. 438, S. 465 and the NIGC Chairman Nomination (March 18, 2015)
Nomination Hearing to consider Jonodev Osceola Chaudhuri, of Arizona, to be Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission (March 11, 2015)