Nation world

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would stop the Tohono O’odham Nation from building a casino in the Glendale area.

It passed by a voice vote Tuesday. The measure now awaits consideration by the U.S. Senate, which didn’t vote on a similar bill last year.

The bill seeks to prevent more casinos from opening on Phoenix metropolitan area land designated as a reservation after April 2013.

The Tohono O’odham Nation unveiled plans in 2009 to build a resort and casino in Glendale.

Opponents have argued a 2002 voter-backed compact barred more casinos from opening in metro Phoenix.

A federal judge ruled the tribe’s plans don’t violate the compact. The state and the Gila River Indian Community have appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.