news

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congresswoman Veronica Escobar’s (TX-16) bipartisan legislation to provide Native American communities a critical economic lifeline and opportunity to recover from the coronavirus health and economic crisis.

H.R. 2208, the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Act would ensure the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta tribes are covered by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and create parity with the only other federally recognized tribe in Texas, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas.    

“I’m proud to have passed this bipartisan legislation that fundamentally aims to create parity and equity for two tribes – the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta tribes of Texas – that have been treated differently from all other tribes since the enactment of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988,” said Congresswoman Escobar.  “The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta tribes are the only two tribes in the entire country who have been prohibited from Class II gaming and denied economic opportunities that would allow them to succeed, support job creation, and generate revenue to help fund critical infrastructure. I look forward to continue advocating to ensure this legislation gets to the President’s desk for his signature and finally grant the tribes the rights and opportunities they have been denied for far too long.”

Congresswoman Escobar introduced this bipartisan legislation on April 1, 2021 alongside Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23). The Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Act:

• Ensures that the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribes are covered by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and creates parity with the only other federally recognized Tribe in Texas, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas.  
• Would not expand gaming in Texas but would allow the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe to offer electronic bingo on their reservations, something the only other federally recognized Tribe in Texas, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, has been doing since 1996 without interference from Texas.

Ahead of the bill’s passage, Congresswoman Escobar delivered remarks in support of the legislation. Click here to watch the full video. To view the bill text, click here and to view a fact-sheet, click here.

###