Bush signs Mashantucket Pequot bill into law

President Bush signed S.2457, a bill for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut, into law on Thursday.

The bill authorizes the tribe to lease certain lands for up to 75 years. Current law restricts the leases to 25 years.

Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Connecticut) introduced the bill last December. It was discharged by unanimous consent by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee without a hearing on February 5. It passed the Senate that same day by unanimous consent.

The House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on the bill on April 9 and reported it by unanimous consent on April 17. The bill passed the House on April 29.

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President Bush Signs S. 2457 and S. 2739 into Law (White House 5/8)