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JUNE 20, 2001

The following is a transcript of remarks made by Rep. Chris Shays (R-Conn.) at a press conference in Washington, DC, on June 19.

I am pleased to join my colleague, Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA), in introducing the Tribal and Local Communities Relationship Improvement Act to better regulate Indian gaming operations.

Indian gaming facilities, and the non-Indian financial backers involved with many of them, are not held accountable by the federal government, and states are currently left out of the process altogether.

Our legislation aims to improve the role of states in approving new gaming operations affecting their residents, and strengthens the federal regulations governing tribal gambling.

The Tribal and Local Communities Relationship Improvement Act is designed to achieve three goals: Give states more control over the expansion of tribal gambling by requiring both a state's governor and legislature to approve a new facility; Establish an advisory committee to create minimum standards for regulating tribal gambling operations; and Create a commission to examine our overall policy toward Native Americans and make recommendations on areas for improvement.

The National Indian Gaming Commission -- charged with the task of regulating tribal gambling operations -- currently has a budget of $8 million a year and a staff of 70 to police over 240 gaming operations across the country. In contrast, the commission regulating the 12 Atlantic City casinos spends $58 million a year and employs 800 regulators.

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Gaming critics seek more control over tribes (6/20)