The National Congress of American Indians and the United South and Eastern Tribes hosted a rally at the U.S. Capitol to lobby for a fix to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar.

Matthew Thomas, the chief sachem of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island, spoke at the rally. He was hopeful that Congress will take action to ensure that all tribes, regardless of the date of federal recognition, can follow the land-into-trust process.

“I am cautiously optimistic that the Carcieri fix will pass now,” said Thomas, The Providence Journal reported.

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee has already approved S.676 to fix the decision. A vote on the Senate floor hasn't been scheduled.

Similar versions of the fix -- H.R.1291 and H.R.1234 -- have yet to receive a hearing in the House.

Get the Story:
Tribal leaders push for ‘Carcieri fix’ bill (The Providence Journal 6/27)

Committee Notice:
The Indian Reorganization Act - 75 Years Later: Renewing our Commitment to Restore Tribal Homelands and Promote Self-Determination (June 23, 2011)

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

Related Stories:
Witness List: Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on IRA (6/21)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on 75 years of IRA (6/13)
Tribes to rally in Washington for fix to land-into-trust ruling (6/7)
Rhode Island governor opposes fix to land-into-trust decision (4/11)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee approves land-into-trust fix (4/8)
Rep. Cole introduces fix to Supreme Court land-into-trust ruling (4/4)
Echo Hawk 'strongly supports' fix to land-into-trust decision (3/31)
Bills introduced to fix Supreme Court land-into-trust decision (3/31)
White House aide vows support for fix to land-into-trust decision (3/1)