Opinion
Rep. Pombo Letter: In defense of the RIGHT Act


"Rep. George Miller's, D-Martinez, response to The Reporter's editorial ("Talons out," The Reporter, Sept. 16) on his vote against my bill to restrict off-reservation Indian gaming was slippery, if not ironic.

The legislation was not "considered on the House floor under normal rules that allow lawmakers to offer amendments and have a full debate," he whined.

No debate? It was debated in the Resources Committee, of which Rep. Miller is a member, in seven hearings during the 109th Congress alone. But Rep. Miller missed six of them, including one in Sacramento, an hour from his district. He was also curiously absent when we debated the bill on the House floor, and there's no evidence that he even submitted a statement for the official record.

No opportunity to offer amendments? The committee considered several amendments before passing it on a bipartisan vote. Even Rep. Miller voted for it (before he voted against it)."

Get the Story:
Rep. Richard W. Pombo: Another congressman's take on failed casino bill (The Vacaville Reporter 9/23)
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