The U.S. House has soundly rejected legislation that would pave the way for two proposed Indian casinos in Michigan. Opponents said it would circumvent gambling laws. The bill caused a clash among several Michigan lawmakers, gambling opponents and those trying to bring jobs to the state, which has one of the nation's highest unemployment rates. It was defeated on a vote of 298-121. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Bay Mills Indian Community reached agreements in 2002 with Michigan officials to take land in Romulus and Port Huron, respectively, and build off-reservation casinos. Democratic Representatives John Dingell, Bart Stupak, Dale Kildee and Sander Levin, and Republican Candice Miller, voted for the bill. Democrats John Conyers and Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick were joined by the rest of the state's GOP delegation in voting against it except for Representative Thaddeus McCotter, who didn't vote.
