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Michigan casino debate escalates15 February 2008MICHIGAN -- As reported by the Michigan Times-Herald: "A long-simmering dispute described by one congressman as 'a Michigan food fight' has escalated into a no-holds-barred brawl involving several of the most powerful figures on Capitol Hill. "The battle centers on Port Huron and Romulus, where two Chippewa bands are seeking casinos as payment for Upper Peninsula land seized from their ancestors in the 1850s. "'I'm somewhat optimistic that we can get this through Congress, which is not to say it isn't going to be a battle,' said Jeff Parker, chairman of the Bay Mills Chippewa tribal council. 'Those opposed to this for financial reasons will continue to throw money at it.' "Earlier this week, the House Natural Resources Committee gave overwhelming approval to casino legislation, forwarding Port Huron and Romulus bills to the full House. "...The issue has splintered the Democratic caucus in the House, where two powerful committee chairmen support the bills and two equally powerful chairmen oppose it. "It also pits the Congressional Black Caucus, whose chairwoman minces no words in her opposition to the proposed casinos, against the leaders of the Congressional Native American Caucus, whose co-chairmen strongly support the bills. "An equally fierce battle could loom in the Senate, where two titans of the Democratic Party find themselves on opposite sides. "...Aides to Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated no timetable has been set for debating the legislation on the floor of the House or bringing it to a vote..." |