The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing this afternoon on the regulation of Indian gaming.
One significant topic was the so-called CRIT decision from 2006. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Class III gaming is regulated through tribal-state gaming compacts and not through regulations from the National Indian Gaming Commission. The Bush administration supported a fix to the decision. But the Obama administration hasn't developed a position because it is consulting tribes, current NIGC Chairwoman Tracie Stevens told the committee. The response drew some angry comments from Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona). He said the NIGC was wasting taxpayer dollars with its lengthy tribal consultation process. The hearing lasted about an hour and 40 minutes. Audio can be downloaded below:• Opening StatementsCommittee Notice:
Panel # 1
• Testimony | Q&A
The Honorable Tracie Stevens
Chairwoman, National Indian Gaming Commission
Panel # 2
• Testimony | Q&A
Mr. Ernest L. Stevens
Chairman, National Indian Gaming Association
Mr. Jamie Hummingbird
Chairperson, National Tribal Gaming Commissioners/Regulators
Panel # 3
• Testimony | Q&A
Mr. J. Kurt Luger
Executive Director, Great Plains Indian Gaming Association
Mr. Sheila Morago
Executive Director, Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association
Mr. John Meskill
Executive Director, Mohegan Tribal Gaming Gaming Commission