Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Tribal Gaming Eligibility Act with my friend and colleague from Arizona, Senator Jon Kyl. This bill requires that Indian tribes demonstrate both an aboriginal and a modern connection to the land before it can be used for gaming. The bill responds to growing concerns and frustrations about the number of ``off-reservation'' casinos proposals in California and across the nation. As of May 2010, the U.S. Department of Interior was considering 35 of these proposals. Eleven of them are in my home State. Casinos strain local governments, increase violent crime, and increase bankruptcies. Gambling regulations are poorly enforced, largely because deficit-plagued state governments have cut enforcement staff down to the bone. Even when enforcement officials are present, highly protective ``State Compacts,'' protect tribal casinos from true scrutiny and legitimate oversight. The fact is that some tribes have abused their unique right to operate casinos by taking land into trust miles away from their historical lands and miles away from where any tribal member resides. This is done to produce the most profitable casino, often with little regard to what is most beneficial to tribal members. This unbridled reservation shopping is occurring with little to no input from local governments or neighboring tribes.…”