Politics

Sen. McCain releases Native American policy

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) said he will uphold the federal government's trust responsibility and consult closely with tribes if he is elected president.

McCain released his long-awaited Native American policy. It's mostly based on his record as a two-term chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, a position he used to pass trust reform, housing and other laws.

"Over the years John McCain has received the support and friendship of many people from Indian Country, and he is committed to ensuring that they are treated justly and fairly," the policy states. "As president, John McCain will continue to build on his record of achieving results for Indian Country, and will continue to do so through close consultation with the tribes."

On trust reform, McCain specifically cites a "long history of misuse and abuse" of Indian assets. If he is elected, he says he will "will make comprehensive reform of the trust system and resolution of the trust accounting litigation a priority."

McCain mentions economic development throughout the policy but doesn't talk about gaming. He co-wrote the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 and tried in recent years to amend it to impose more limits on tribes.

Relevant Documents:
John McCain on Native American Policy (March 2008)