Senate approves amendment blocking Indian gambling

Thursday, July 13, 2000 | 3:59 a.m.

The amendment to the 2001 Interior Department appropriations bill, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Mobile, would establish a one-year moratorium on Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt's ability to issue a casino license to the Creeks. The amendment must be passed by the House and signed by President Clinton before becoming law.

The one-year delay would give a federal court time to rule on suits filed by Alabama and Florida, questioning regulations that authorize Babbitt to grant such a license if states and tribes cannot agree on a gambling compact.

"Does the Secretary of Interior have the power to impose gambling in Alabama? It really comes down to that, and I think the answer is no," Sessions has said.

The Poarch Creeks want to build the casino, a parking deck and a hotel on lands near Wetumpka along the Tallapoosa River.

Eddie Tullis, Poarch Creek chairman, has said the moratorium could dash his tribe's hopes.

"It's terrible that a senator that has had very little dealings with Indian people across the country takes the opportunity to use his position as a legislator to deny something Indians all over the country are enjoying," Tullis has said of Sessions.