U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell said that the Cowlitz Indian Tribe pursuit of a casino near La Center proves the need to change the tribal gaming regulations. In the same senate committee hearing that occurred on Wednesday, Sen. John McCain said the casino approval process is faulty.
McCain ordered a tribal gaming official to create written rules that will help find a way thorough the complex issue of tribal gaming law. McCains goal is to put more federal restrain over tribal gaming. Last year he offered two bills intended to limitation on building of off-reservation casinos.
The senate committee hearing was partly connected to the Cowlitz Indian Tribes case, a planned casino hotel on 152 acres near the Interstate 5-La Center junction. The tribe currently waits for U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs authorization to take the land into federal trust and prepare the way for a casino.
