Political Quotes

“I rise to introduce this amendment to the Supplemental Appropriations bill with my colleague, the distinguished Senator from Alabama, Mr. Sessions. This amendment has one very important purpose: to ensure that the rights of this Congress and all fifty states are not trampled on by an unelected Cabinet official. The amendment is simple and straightforward. It extends the current moratorium on the Secretary of the Interior's ability to finalize the rules that were published on January 22d, 1998 until eight months after Congress receives the report of the National Gambling Impact Study Commission. Since the Commission is due to deliver its report to Congress no later than June 20th of this year, this moratorium would give Congress until as late as next February to consider the findings and advice of the commission we established to study the impact of gambling. This amendment also prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from approving any tribal-state gambling agreement which has not first been approved by the tribe and the state in question during this moratorium. Mr. President, it is imperative that the current moratorium, which expires on March 31st, be extended.”