The Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island is hopeful Congress will take action this year to address the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar.

Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas attended yesterday's hearing before the House Natural Resources Committee. He said comments by key lawmakers indicate Congress will "undoubtedly" amend the Indian Reorganization Act to ensure all tribes, regardless of the date of recognition, can participate in the land-into-trust process.

"They're going to correct the issue," Thomas told The Providence Journal.

Rhode Island's Congressional delegation, however, could represent a roadblock. Nearly every lawmaker from the state has expressed an unwillingness to address land issues affecting the tribe, which didn't gain formal recognition until 1983.

The tribe wasn't "under federal jurisdiction" when the IRA was passed in 1934, the Supreme Court said. The decision blocked the tribe's acquisition of 31 acres for a housing project.

Get the Story:
Legislation could undo ruling on Narragansett land (The Providence Journal 4/2)
Congress asked to reverse court (The Cape Cod Times 4/2)
Congress weighs effect of Supreme Court decision on tribal annexation (The New London Day 4/2)

Committee hearing:
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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