Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 759, sponsored by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin), would amend the act of Congress that restored Federal recognition to the two Tribes in Texas that are the subject of this bill. The amendment would override a gaming limitation imposed by Congress on the Tribes, thereby authorizing the Tribes to operate the casinos regulated under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 and not under Texas law. The question of whether Texas law or the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act applies to the two Tribes is no longer under serious dispute. Federal courts have settled the question, and the result of the litigation is that the two Tribes may not conduct gaming under IGRA unless Congress enacts a measure to allow them to do so. This bill enjoys significant local support in the communities around the reservations of the two Tribes, and the Members who represent the Tribes strongly support enactment of the measure because the reservations, where the casinos would be operated, are within their districts. However, while the bill enjoys support in Texas, I must note that the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, has written letters to the House leaders and committee leaders in opposition to the legislation. In the view of the Governor, this bill allows the Tribes to violate the Texas constitution without the consent of the State of Texas.…”