Off-reservation casino ban falls short

WASHINGTON – Republicans tried Wednesday to curb the explosive growth of Indian gambling by prohibiting tribes from building casinos away from their reservations, but the effort failed in the House.

Lawmakers voted 247-171 for the measure, but that was short of the two-thirds majority needed.

Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., said he had hoped the legislation would stop “reservation shopping,” a growing trend. Tribal gambling has become a $22 billion-a-year industry, richer than Nevada casinos.

“How this bill could be considered controversial – outside Indian gaming circles, of course – is beyond me,” said Pombo.

The legislation was opposed by the country’s leading tribal organizations, and some Democrats said it amounted to an unwarranted intrusion into tribes’ sovereign right to self-government.

Democrats also objected because the bill was brought to the House floor under rules preventing amendments and limiting debate. The same rules required two-thirds approval for passage.

“We’ve seen tribes abused historically in this country,” Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., said before the vote. “I think that’s happening again today.”

Despite the failure, Pombo could try to bring the bill up again under regular rules requiring a simple majority for approval. Aides conceded there may not be time to do that with lawmakers eager to recess by the end of the month so they can spend October campaigning.