The U.S. House of Representatives on July 24 approved a bipartisan bill cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) to restore an opportunity for equal and fair tribal economic development for two Native American tribes in Texas.
“For all the blessings bestowed upon the Lone Star state,” said Rep. Hurd on the House floor prior to the chamber’s unanimous vote, “we still fall short in our efforts of providing true economic stability to our Native American tribes.”
Rep. Hurd in January signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Settlement Act, H.R. 759, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) regarding gaming for both the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo in El Paso, Texas, and the Alabama-Coushatta in Livingston, Texas.
If enacted, the bill would allow both federally recognized tribes to legally operate Class II Gaming and to use the earned revenue to finance infrastructure projects aimed at creating jobs, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Hurd’s office.
“H.R. 759 is not about whether one agrees or disagrees with gambling. This bill isn’t about gambling,” Rep. Hurd said. “It’s about letting two tribes in two of Texas’ most economically distressed zones engage in what every other tribe in America engages in.
“This bill would allow these two tribes in Texas to do bingo. That’s it. Not blackjack. Not poker. Not Craps. Just Bingo,” said the congressman.
The U.S. Senate on July 25 received the bill for consideration.