President Trump left no doubt Wednesday as to where he stands on a measure championed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren that would clear the way for a massive Massachusetts tribal casino: He’s against it.
The House bill, H.R. 312, was scheduled for a vote Wednesday, but Democratic leaders pulled the bill after Mr. Trump urged Republicans to vote against it.
“Republicans shouldn’t vote for H.R. 312, a special interest casino Bill, backed by Elizabeth (Pocahontas) Warren. It’s unfair and doesn’t treat Native Americans equally!” he tweeted.
Ms. Warren sponsored last year the Senate companion bill despite her history of opposition to gaming expansion, a change of heart that came as she sought to align herself with tribal causes in an effort to squelch her “Pocahontas” problem.
The House leadership also yanked H.R. 375, a Republican-sponsored bill that would reaffirm the Interior Secretary’s authority to take land into trust for tribes.
Republicans shouldn’t vote for H.R. 312, a special interest casino Bill, backed by Elizabeth (Pocahontas) Warren. It is unfair and doesn’t treat Native Americans equally!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 8, 2019
Backed by the House Massachusetts delegation, H.R. 312 would allow the Interior Department to take 321 acres in trust on the tribe’s behalf, a prerequisite for Indian gaming, even though a federal court blocked the move in 2016.
Tribal leaders have argued that the ruling unjustly deprives them of a reservation, while critics have denounced the measure as a “bailout bill” for the Genting Group, a Malaysian investor that has sunk $400 million into the proposed $1 billion First Light Resort and Casino.
The Supreme Court has ruled that only tribes recognized before the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act may have land taken into trust on their behalf, and the Mashpee did not receive federal recognition until 2007 after working with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
The bill has pitted Massachusetts Democrats against their counterparts in Rhode Island, who have fought the construction of the massive tribal gaming attraction in Taunton, about 30 miles from the Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
The bill has split Republicans: Several, including Reps. Don Young of Alaska and Doug LaMalfa of California, have cosponsored the measure, while other Republicans have argued that the measure would give special treatment to one tribe by eradicating years of legal and administrative action.
The 2016 federal ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by 25 residents of East Taunton, Massachusetts.
Ms. Warren and Sen. Edward Markey, both Massachusetts Democrats, have yet to reintroduce a Senate bill in the 116th congressional session amid concerns that her involvement has hurt the bill’s chances, especially with the White House.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.
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