William R. Richardson: “I rise against the bill because of its negative impact on native Americans. Mr. Speaker, a National Gambling Commission…”

“I rise against the bill because of its negative impact on native Americans. Mr. Speaker, a National Gambling Commission is in many ways an unnecessary intrusion by the Federal Government into the business of State and local and tribal governments. It will cost millions of dollars to fund the Commission and its study, which can surely be put to better use. There is no evidence that such a study is even necessary. The gambling operations of the native American tribes, which would be one of the subjects of this study, have shown no evidence of any connection with organized criminal activity. The bill does not provide a requirement that there be native American members of the Commission. The bill's study does not cover all forms of gambling. Indian gambling has produced hundreds of thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly, and has been of tremendous economic benefit. This is the first time that the tribes have been able to bring in a significant amount of revenue, and they have used it for hospitals, schools, and other improvements to their communities. Creating this Commission will create another Federal bureaucracy which will have subpoena power. Regardless of one's position on whether gambling is a positive or negative force, the States and localities must decide for themselves, and they are already doing so.”