El Paso Standard

On April 27, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) co-introduced H.R. 2873, the Tribal Gaming Regulatory Compliance Act. This legislation would ensure all federally recognized tribes that are eligible for gaming in the United States are regulated under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Congresswoman Escobar introduced this bill with bipartisan support, as it is co-led by Representative Morgan Luttrell (TX-8).

“The foundation of this legislation is built on equality,” said Congresswoman Escobar.“Despite the Supreme Court ruling in their favor, I bring forth legislation that codifies equal treatment for the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribe. This is an issue that I have been working on for years, and as slowly as progress has come, I’m optimistic about our legislative prospects.” 

Congresswoman Escobar has been a dedicated defender of the sovereignty and prosperity of Native American tribes. In April 2021, Congresswoman Escobar introduced the original legislation, the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Act to grant these tribes gaming rights. It passed the House in May 2021. 

This bill version is introduced following the June 2022 Supreme Court Ysleta del Sur Pueblo et al v. Texas decision which found that the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribe was eligible to offer electronic bingo and other types of games that were not prohibited by the State of Texas. 

Original cosponsors for this bill include Reps. Babin (TX-36), Edwards (NC-11), Veasey (TX-33), Stansbury (NM-1), and LaMalfa (CA-1). 

The full bill text can be found here. 

Original source can be found here.