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WASHINGTON, DC -- Today Congressman David Wu led the fight to defeat H.R. 4893, a bill to amend federal law overseeing Indian gaming casinos. Congressman Wu gathered support to defeat the bill because procedural rules did not allow a full debate or for Representatives to offer amendments.
"This was the first time federal law overseeing Indian gambling casinos was opened for substantive revision since it was enacted in 1988," said Congressman Wu. "There is a right way and a wrong way to legislate. A bill of this magnitude deserves a full debate and an opportunity to amend and improve the bill."
Congressman Wu's defeat of H.R. 4893 means that the bill is likely to be brought for a vote under normal House rules that allow all Representatives to offer amendments. Congressman Wu will use this opportunity to offer an amendment to protect the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area from plans to develop a gambling casino complex.
Congressman Wu continued, "The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is our Yosemite, our Grand Canyon. It is a natural treasure. It is wrong to build a 600,000 square foot casino drawing 3 million people and 1 million additional cars each year for non-Gorge purposes into the Gorge. I will not be silent while our crown jewel gets trashed."
H.R. 4893 was brought to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today for a vote under 'suspension of the rules'. This procedural vehicle greatly limits debate, does not allow amendments, and is normally reserved for non-controversial and ceremonial legislation.
H.R. 4893 is very controversial and should not be considered under suspension. Proponents, including Resources Chairman Richard Pombo (CA), placed H.R. 4893 under suspension to avoid debate and amendments, in an attempt to circumvent the legislative process and rush it through.
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