Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1532, sponsored by the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Byrne), would ratify the trust status of lands the Secretary of the Interior currently holds for the benefit of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians of Alabama. The lands are located in the State of Alabama, with the exception of 1 acre of land in the State of Florida. The Tribe's trust lands are used for a variety of Tribal purposes, including the operation of casinos authorized under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, a health clinic, an assisted living facility, and other facilities and development serving the needs of the Tribe and the local communities. H.R. 1532 applies only to specific tracts of land taken in trust prior to a 2009 ruling by the Supreme Court, a ruling whose significance I will describe in a moment. Lands held in trust by the Secretary of the Interior have a unique political status. The lands are regulated by Tribes and the Federal Government pursuant to a variety of statutes that restrict their alienation, and protect them from taxation and from State civil and criminal jurisdiction. In addition, gaming may not be conducted by a Tribe under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 unless the casino is located on trust or reservation lands. H.R. 1532 is necessary because there is a cloud of uncertainty over the title of the Poarch Band's existing trust lands.…”