From Rhode Island's Senator

Thank you for contacting me regarding your opposition to any legislation that
would overturn the United States Supreme Court's decision in Carcieri v.
Salazar. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you know, the Supreme Court's decision in Carcieri v. Salazar held that the
Secretary of the Interior does not have the right to take land into trust for
Indian tribes, such as the Narragansett that were not recognized in 1934, when
the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) was enacted. Two separate congressional
committees have held hearings on this case. The House Committee on Natural
Resources held a hearing on April 1, 2009, on the decision's effect on Indian
tribes, and on May 21, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a similar
hearing regarding the Secretary of the Interior's authority to take land into
trust.

On September 24, Senator Dorgan introduced S. 1703, a bill to amend the IRA to
reverse the Carcieri v. Salazar decision and grant the Secretary of the
Interior the authority to take land into trust for tribes recognized after
1934.

S. 1703 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, of which I
am not a member. I have concerns about this legislation, but am in the process
of reviewing it and will monitor its progress in the Senate. I will continue
to oppose any expansion of casino gambling in Rhode Island.

Thank you again for sharing your views. Please feel free to let me know of any
further concerns you may have.


Sincerely,


Sheldon Whitehouse
United States Senator