Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), the new chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, criticized an off-reservation land acquisition for a California tribe.

The landless Lytton Band of Pomo Indians was able to obtain 9.5 acres in the Bay Area through a Congressional rider. The rider, slipped into an omnibus bill, backdated the acquisition so the tribe wouldn't have to follow the more stringent provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

"I think it was wrong the way that this tribe was allowed to do it. I don't think that's the proper process," McCain was quoted as saying. "How do we fix that, I'm not sure."

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) has introduced a bill to make the tribe go through the IGRA process. McCain promised a hearing on the matter.

Get the Story:
McCain leads fight against urban casino (The Contra Costa Times 2/11)
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Sen. McCain: Process for California off-reservation casino 'wrong' (AP 2/10)

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