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Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the House Natural Resources Committee voted favorably in support of the passage of H.R. 308, the Keep the Promise Act:
“I am pleased to see the House Natural Resources Committee swiftly approve important legislation that halts a precedent that may lead to an expansion of off-reservation casinos and dangerous changes to the complexion of tribal gaming in other states across the country.
“The Tohono O’odham Nation dismissal of its promise to build no additional casinos in Phoenix is not something that Congress can ignore when the result will be so harmful for Indian gaming nationwide. I fully support Indian gaming, if done under the rule of law, both in letter and spirit. However, no entity, governmental or otherwise, should be rewarded for deceptive conduct that violates a compact and is contrary to the will of voters. I congratulate my good friend and colleague Trent Franks, and it has been an honor to work closely with so many good people that strongly support this legislation.”
Upon hearing of passage of the bill, Rep. Trent Franks (AZ-08), the sponsor of H.R. 308 and representative for Glendale said, “I commend the Natural Resources Committee for passing H.R. 308, the Keep the Promise Act. This bill halts a precedent that may lead to an expansion of off-reservation casinos and dangerous changes to the complexion of tribal gaming in other states across the country. Tribes across the nation, including many of the other Arizona tribes that played an integral role in the 2002 gaming compact, strongly support this legislation due to the impact this situation could have on tribal gaming enterprises nationally.
“This bill is not about a vendetta. Nor is it about ending gaming in Arizona. It is, very specifically, about ensuring that the limits on casinos specifically promised back in 2002 during debate on Proposition 202 are realized.”
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Congressman Gosar pictured with Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community President Delbert Ray (right ) and Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Lewis (left) , supporters of H.R. 308, following passage of the bill
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Background
The video of Congressman Gosar’s testimony before the Natural Resources Committee in support of H.R. 308 can be found HERE.
Rep. Gosar submitted evidence obtained from underlying litigation discovery in State of Arizona v. Tohono O’odham into the Congressional Record in order to supplement the record on H.R. 308 which can be found HERE.
In return for exclusivity in Arizona, the state tribes agreed to a cap on the number of casinos in the state and in the Phoenix metro area, to restrict the number of machines in the state and to share machine revenue with rural non-gaming tribes so all could benefit.
Every urban tribe, except for Tohono O’odham, agreed to this initial proposal. Tohono refused, citing the need for a new casino in Tucson or on the rural part of the tribe’s reservation. The state and all other tribes agreed to the restrictions on gaming being pushed by Arizona’s Governor and others, but also yielded to Tohono’s stated need.
After the agreement was reached, the tribes and state promoted their model compact by saturating the airwaves with press releases, voter handouts, billboards, and in television and radio interviews. T.O. alone spent $1.8 million dollars urging Arizona voters to rely on the limitation which included no additional casinos in the Phoenix area.
Shockingly, a few months after the voters approved the compact, Tohono finalized a multiyear effort to purchase land in Glendale for a casino, in violation of the 17-tribe coalition compact that was approved by voters, and used a shell corporation to conceal its identity. .
Previously, Congressman Gosar testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Oversight Hearing on the future of Indian gaming and the need for passage of the previous version of H.R. 308. Video of that testimony can be found HERE.
H.R. 308 is sponsored by Congressman Gosar’s Arizona colleague Representative Trent Franks (R-AZ) and is cosponsored by Representatives Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Co-Chair of the Native American Caucus Betty McCollum (D-MN), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Dan Kildee (D-MI) and John Conyers (D-MI).
An identical bill, H.R. 1410, passed overwhelmingly out of the Natural Resources Committee last Congress by a 35-5 margin, and passed the House by voice vote on September 17, 2013.
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