Rep. Trent Franks (R-Arizona) is introducing a bill today to block the Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona.
The bill amends the Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Act of 1986. It bars the tribe from engaging on gaming on land acquired under the law. The tribe would otherwise be permitted to open a casino on land acquired in connection with a land claim settlement. But Franks claims the tribe has broken a promise to stay on the reservation. Franks will discuss the bill at a press conference in Glendale tomorrow. Officials there oppose the tribe's plan for the West Valley Resort. The tribe acquired 135 acres for the casino under the Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Act. Since Indian Gaming Regulatory Act became law in 1988 only two tribes have opened casinos in connection with a land claim settlement. Get the Story: