The House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing this morning to address the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar.

The committee heard from three attorneys. Michael J. Anderson, a former Bureau of Indian Affairs official, and Colette Routel, a law professor, called on Congress to amend the Indian Reorganization Act to ensure all tribes can follow the land-into-trust process.

A third attorney, Donald Craig Mitchell of Alaska, did not support an immediate fix. His testimony mainly challenged long-held federal Indian policy regarding tribes, their relationship with the federal government and the way the Interior Department has been delegated authority over Indian affairs.

The hearing lasted about 90 minutes. Audio clips can be downloaded below:

• Opening Statements

• Testimony | Q&A [big file]
Ms. Colette Routel, Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Michigan Law School, Assistant Professor, William Mitchell College of Law

Mr. Michael J. Anderson, Partner, AndersonTuell, LLP

Mr. Donald Craig Mitchell, Esq., Anchorage, AK

Get the Story:
Congressional hearing airs land trust issue (The Cape Cod Times 4/1)

Committee Notice:
Full Committee Oversight Hearing On The "Supreme Court Decision Carcieri V. Salazar Ramifications To Indian Tribes (April 1, 2009)

Supreme Court Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Thomas] | Concurrence [Breyer] | Dissent [Stevens] | Concurrence/Dissent [Souter]

Supreme Court Documents:
Oral Argument Transcript | Briefs

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