Veto-Proof House Majority Backs Speaker’s Tribal Sovereignty Bill

One-hundred members of the House of Representatives voted Wednesday in favor of House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross’s (D-Portland) tribal sovereignty bill, a large enough bloc to override an expected veto from Democratic Gov. Janet Mills.

Under federal law, Native American tribal organizations are entitled to certain federal assistance and programs, but a law enacted by Maine in the 1980s, and ratified by Congress, made state government a middleman between the tribes and Washington, D.C.

Allowing Maine’s tribes to benefit from all federal programs, without having to first consult with the state government, has been a top priority for Speaker Talbot Ross, making Wednesday’s vote perhaps the biggest win of her speakership.

The issue is also an example of rare disagreement between Gov. Mills and rank-and-file Democrats in the House.

Mills has long opposed legislation sought after by the tribes. Her veto of LD 2004 is almost guaranteed, so the question becomes whether supporters of the proposal have the votes necessary to carry out the Senate’s end of a veto override.