House rules outlining today's floor debate on off-reservation casinos narrowly pass

An update posted at the Port Huron Times Herald regarding the status of today's anticipated vote on H.R. 2176 in the U.S House of Representatives:

The U.S. House has passed the rules outlining the debate about the casino bills [H.R. 2176 & H.R. 4115] up for vote today. The rules passed 207-204, and the legislation that would pave the way for casinos in Port Huron and Romulus is to be discussed this afternoon. Earlier reports on CSPAN that the legislation had been ratified were incorrect.

H.R. 2176 is a bill that paves the way for Michael Malik and the Bay Mills Indian Community to build an off-reservation Indian casino in Port Huron, Michigan. H.R. 4115 paves the way for the Sault Ste. Marie tribe (owners of Detroit's commercial Greektown Casino, a facility currently in bankruptcy) to build an off-reservation Indian casino in either Romulus or Flint, Michigan.

If passed in the House of Represenatives today the bills move to the Senate where the process starts all over. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) opposes the bill. Previously GOP presidential candidate Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has opposed similar attempts by these tribes and their financial backers.