Obama reappoints Republican Daniel Little for NIGC position

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Daniel Little. Photo courtesy National Indian Gaming Commission.

President Barack Obama has reappointed Daniel Little to serve on the National Indian Gaming Commission.

Little is a former employee of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut. He joined the NIGC in April 2010 and with his three-year appointment almost up, Obama is seeking public comments on a second term for Little.

"Daniel J. Little worked closely with the Tribal Advisory Committee to review changes to part 543 of the Commission's regulations regarding Class II Minimum Internal Controls, which successfully resulted in a final rule issued on September 21, 2012. Mr. Little has also been instrumental in undertaking a top priority of the Commission—a critical review of internal operations, including a review of all internal policies and procedures. In short, Mr. Little's accomplishments are invaluable contributions to the Commission, and his proposed reappointment seeks to ensure continuity for this good and valuable work," a notice that was published in the Federal Register today states.

The commission normally operates with three members. But Steffani Cochran, a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma who was serving as vice chair, left after her three-year term was up in January.

That leaves just Little and Chairwoman Tracie Stevens, a citizen of the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, on board. Stevens' term ends in June of this year and she hasn't publicly stated whether she intends to stick around.

Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the NIGC can continue to operate with two members so long as a chair or vice chair has been seated. IGRA requires at least two members to be members of federally recognized tribes and no more than two can be of the same political party.

Little, a Republican, has been appointed as an associate member.

Federal Register Notice:
Proposed Appointment to the National Indian Gaming Commission (March 26, 2013)