[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 126 (Friday, September 19, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9733-S9734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           AMENDMENT NO. 1221

 Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I join with Senator Inouye in 
expressing strong opposition to the amendment. Just a few months ago, 
Senator Inouye and I introduced a bill to amend the Indian Gaming 
Regulatory Act of 1987. The Indian Affairs Committee, which has 
jurisdiction over matters involving native Americans, has scheduled the 
first hearing on this bill on October 8, 1997. This hearing has been on 
the schedule for over a month. This is the normal and proper procedure 
for making policy with respect to native American issues.
  If I had been able to be on the floor, I would have fought against 
and voted against this amendment. In its modified form, as it was 
finally adopted by voice vote, the amendment does not affect any 
process or procedure that currently exists into law or in regulation. 
However, it does represent an unwarranted interference into the 
development of reasonable and appropriate approaches to the 
authorization and regulation of Indian gaming that have not been 
considered or approved by the Indian Affairs Committee, the 
administration, or, more importantly, the tribes.
  The amendment, even as modified, represents an ill-advised action of 
the Congress to influence the future of Indian gaming. The mere fact of 
offering this type of amendment, which seeks to micromanage the 
regulation of Indian gaming, will have the effect of prejudicing the 
outcome of the Indian Affairs' Committee hearings on IGRA amendment.
  The proponents of this amendment are seeking to override a carefully 
balanced procedure in the Congress. They are seeking to throw up new 
obstacles to prevent tribes from engaging in gaming and to disrupt 
ongoing negotiations between States and tribes who are cooperating in 
developing Indian gaming compacts.
  The IGRA was carefully crafted to take into account the differences 
among the several States. IGRA is not perfect, and that is why Senator 
Inouye and I introduced amendments to the bill. The Enzi amendment is 
premature. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing is the proper

[[Page S9734]]

forum to discuss these issues and for opponents of Indian gaming to 
express their concerns.
  Mr. President, I join with my colleagues on the Indian Affairs 
Committee in urging the conferees on the Interior appropriations bill 
to eliminate this provision from the final conference agreement. 


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