Legislation | Openings & Closings

GOP still working on bill to block Tohono O'odham Nation casino

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Artist's rendering of the West Valley Resort under construction in Glendale, Arizona. Image from WVR

Republicans are trying to resolve concerns about a bill that prevents the Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona from using its trust land for a casino, Politico reports.

H.R.308, the Keep the Promise Act, was due for a vote on Monday under a process that's normally reserved for non-controversial legislation. A key Democrat objected and Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-California), the Republican Majority Leader, agreed to pull it from the calendar.

But ethical concerns might have played a role as well. The National Republican Congressional Committee held its Native American Policy Summit -- an innocuous name for an expensive fundraiser -- on Tuesday and some of the bill's supporters have donated money to the organization, Politico reports.

"This is trench warfare," an unnamed lobbyist told Politico. "You only pull the bill off if you're going to lose or get embarrassed."

The Gila River Indian Community donated $43,400 to the NRCC and $2,700 to one of the bill's co-sponsors, Politico reported. The tribe also spent $3.65 million in lobbying fees in 2014, the largest amount that year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. So far in 2015, the tribe has spent $2.3 million, according to the center.

A federal judge has confirmed the Tohono O'odham Nation's right to use its trust land in Glendale for the West Valley Resort. The tribe plans to open the facility in December with only Class II games because the state refuses to certify it for Class III games.

Get the Story:
Ethics concern scuttles vote on tribal bill (Politico 10/28)