William R. Richardson: “I also rise to speak out against this ill-advised amendment. One of the things that we have to keep in mind is that not…”

“I also rise to speak out against this ill-advised amendment. One of the things that we have to keep in mind is that not only is this bad law, from a legal perspective, but it is bad law from a commonsense perspective as well. First, for all the talk that I have heard this Congress about the needs and the desperate living conditions of the Indians, we have not done anything of any real consequence this Congress to help them out. And, the one tool for economic survival that they do have--casino gambling--we want to take away from them. But, perhaps even more incredible is the fact that I have heard time and time again from other Members that Indians have to start looking for other avenues of economic growth other than gaming. But what happens when they find one? What do we do? We try and close that down too. At some point this simply becomes a matter of fairness. We cannot close off all of their options. Second, the point is made that these tax moneys are being taken out of the State coffers and that eventually the States are going to have to come to the Federal Government for assistance and that this will cost the U.S. taxpayers. Well guess what? If we do not help out the Indian tribes grow financially, whom do you think pays for it? The same Federal Government. The point is that by cutting off the tribe's economic avenues, we are not saving any money at all.”