[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21726]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                               H.R. 4893

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to 
H.R. 4893, which represents a significant change in federal policy 
towards tribal governments and grossly undermines tribal sovereignty.
  The U.S. Constitution article 1, section 8 acknowledges Indian Tribes 
as governments, equal to States and Foreign Nations. In recognition of 
this constitutionally guaranteed sovereignty, the Indian Gaming 
Regulatory Act, IGRA, directs tribes to negotiate gambling compacts 
with states and the federal government. H.R. 4893 amends Section 20 of 
IGRA to restrict off-reservation Indian gambling by forcing tribes to 
enter into agreements with subdivisions of states for the first time in 
over 200 years.
  H.R. 4893 further undermines tribal sovereignty and Indian Self-
Determination with a provision that requires tribes to enter into 
binding arbitration with counties and parishes. Binding arbitration is 
an alternative dispute resolution process between two equals, yet the 
Constitution makes clear that Indian Tribes are equal to Federal and 
state governments, not their local subdivisions. This legislation 
creates a precarious precedent that could lead to further erosion of 
tribal sovereignty.
  For these reasons, major tribal organizations vehemently oppose 
passage of H.R. 4893. The National Indian Business Association, the 
National Indian Gaming Association and the National Congress of 
American Indians, which includes 250 tribes throughout the United 
States, are among the bill's detractors.
  This bill is only the most recent in a long and regrettable series of 
assaults on the rights of Native Americans. As a proud member of the 
Native American Caucus and a stalwart defender of tribal sovereignty, I 
stand opposed to this legislation and in defense of the Constitution. I 
will continue to work in Congress to ensure that our federal 
government's commitment to America's Native peoples, cultures and 
languages remains steadfast.

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