Obama Administration Backs Carcieri v. Salazar "Fix"

On the eve of a presidential gathering with tribes from around the country the Obama administration has come out in favor of legislation to “fix” the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar.

In its February 24 decision of this year, the Supreme Court restricted the land-into-trust to tribes that were "under federal jurisdiction" as of 1934, when the Indian Reorganization Act was passed, but Kim Teehee, the White House Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs, said that "All tribes" should be able to benefit from the land-into-trust process regardless of the date of federal recognition.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the administration is working with Congress on the issue. Three bills have been introduced in the House and the Senate to ensure all tribes can follow the land-into-trust process.

In a conference call Salazar said, "There is a problem here that has to be fixed.”

The House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing yesterday to discuss the matter.

The three bills can be found here:

S.1703
H.R.3697
H.R.3742