Barrasso Addresses the National Indian Gaming Association's 2015 Summer Legislative Summit

"Good Morning. Members of the National Indian Gaming Association, tribal leaders, and distinguished guests, I want to extend a warm welcome to Washington D.C.

"I want to thank the National Indian Gaming Association for inviting me to address you all this morning.

"For those of you that don't know, Ernie Stevens' father, Ernie Stevens Sr., was the former Staff Director of what was known back then, the "Select Committee on Indian Affairs' He served in that role from 1976 to 1978.

"Mr. Stevens, please tell your father from all of us, "thank you' for his service to the Committee.

"I am truly honored to serve as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. As Chairman, I have made it a priority to focus on issues that will help Indian communities prosper.

"We are only seven months into the new Congress, and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has already made a lot of progress.

"The Vice-Chairman of our Committee -- Senator Jon Tester -- has been a solid partner. All of our Members have been diligent and engaged in the work of the committee.

"In addition to a roundtable and five listening sessions, we have held sixteen hearings so far this year - including three field hearings in Wyoming, Montana, and Oklahoma.

"We have held hearings relating to tribal labor sovereignty, Indian roads safety, juvenile justice, Native youth suicide, Indian schools, natural resources, housing, and many other important issues.

"We have worked on a bipartisan basis to pass several key bills out of Committee on: tribal energy development and land exchanges, Indian irrigation projects, and Indian housing.

"Earlier this month the Senate unanimously passed the Department of the Interior Tribal Self-Governance Act of 2015. Once this bill passes the House and is signed into law, tribes will have a more streamlined and clearer process for taking over the administration of Bureau of Indian Affairs programs.

"Good governance creates a healthy environment in which tribes can flourish, and economies can grow. To do that, tribes must have the tools to govern their own communities, free from needless bureaucracy and costly delays. This bill helps get Washington out of the way and helps Indian communities to thrive.

"During my first 100 days as Chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs, the Committee expeditiously approved the appointment of Jonodev Chaudhuri as Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission. The full Senate confirmed Mr. Chaudhuri in April.

"Along with the two other Commissioners, he is responsible for regulating the more than 450 Indian gaming facilities, across 28 states, in a $28 billion industry. That is a lot of money, and there must be accountability and integrity in the industry. This money can have a profound impact on tribal communities.

"In many Indian communities, it has supported tribal services, created jobs, and decreased unemployment. That is why we must ensure the integrity of Indian gaming remains strong for future generations.

"We are still waiting on the appointments of the remaining Commissioners. Senator McCain and I have urged the Secretary of the Interior to make those appointments soon. The Commission was designed to enforce the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and it must be staffed appropriately.

"In addition, a recent Government Accountability Office report highlighted findings concerning the effectiveness of the National Indian Gaming Commission. Chief among these findings was that Washington regulators are not effectively promoting voluntary compliance under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

"Tomorrow, the Committee will hold an oversight hearing on the GAO Report, and on the regulation of Indian gaming. Federal, state, and tribal officials -- including, Ernie Stevens on behalf of the National Indian Gaming Association -- will testify at the hearing.

"It will be a good opportunity to dive into these issues and examine how to continue protecting the integrity of Indian gaming.

"I have always thought that the best ideas for tribes have come directly from Indian Country -- and that is why I've always appreciated opportunities like this hearing tomorrow.

"There is a lot of work left to do. Last month, the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act passed the Committee. It is a bill that would provide equality and clarity to the National Labor Relations Act. While it is an important bill for Indian tribes, there are other measures that strike to the heart of Indian Country.

"The Securing Urgent Resources Vital to Indian Victim Empowerment Act, or SURVIVE Act, is one such measure. It will assist tribes with the tools and capabilities to address services for victims of crime. With the incredible rates of victimization, crime, and violence facing too many Indian communities, the need for services is well justified.

"The Committee will consider that measure at our business meeting tomorrow. In addition, the Committee just held a hearing on an overlooked issue--juvenile justice. We received several recommendations to improve the justice systems serving Native youth.

"I will be working with our Members and Indian Country to find solutions to help these young people turn their lives around. I urge everyone here to join me in those efforts.

"When you go home, and people tell you that Congress is broken, you can tell them there are still things that Democrats and Republicans agree are good ideas -- and that we are working together to get important things done.

"I intend to continue working with the Committee -- to help tribes, their economies, and all of their members to achieve greater success.

"Thank you again for this opportunity to speak to you today, and I hope to see many of you tomorrow afternoon. Have a great conference."

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