NAN A. S. HAYWORTH: “Which is exactly my point. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute, and I would simply make the point in response that…”

“Which is exactly my point. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute, and I would simply make the point in response that what we are dealing with here today, contrary to the comments of my friend from Rhode Island, sovereignty was not created in the wake of IGRA. Indeed, a part of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was a government-to-government negotiation between sovereign tribes and the respective States. Now, with reference to what has gone on and what has been described as productive negotiations, yes, indeed, tribes met with several union officials in attempts to negotiate. Our understanding is essentially the negotiations went nowhere. And, Mr. Chairman, the tribes are in no position to negotiate because of this NLRB ruling. This amendment is an immediate solution for now, and it will fix this problem, offering a time out, until a final solution can be crafted. Sovereignty is not conditional. We cannot accept it in some instances, but then, when it somehow is politically inconvenient, ignore it in others. That is why this amendment should be passed, and I ask my colleagues to join me in this.”