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The Carcieri crisis: The ripple effect on jobs, economic development and public safety in Indian Country
Statement of Chairman Daniel K. Akaka
Thu, October 13, 2011
Oversight Hearing
Senate Indian Affairs Committee
Aloha and welcome to the Committee's oversight hearing on "The Carcieri Crisis: The Ripple Effect on Jobs, Economic Development and Public Safety in Indian Country."
Today's topic - the Carcieri decision is not a new one to the Committee or to Indian Country. Since the Supreme Court's decision in February 2009, the Committee has held numerous hearings, roundtables, and listening sessions to examine what the Carcieri decision means to tribes.
Following the Carcieri decision, tribal leaders, legal scholars, and Administration officials predicted the ruling would: lead to an increase in litigation in Indian Country, make it more difficult for tribes to develop economic opportunities to benefit their members and surrounding communities, and create confusion regarding public safety jurisdiction.
At today's hearing we will learn about the impacts that have occurred in the two and a half years since the Supreme Court's Carcieri decision.
As I have said before in prior hearings, I believe it is the responsibility of Congress to set this right. This Committee has already favorably reported Carcieri fix language and we intend to keep examining the impacts on tribes in order to demonstrate the urgent need for the entire Congress to act on this matter.
I want to again express my mahalo to the witnesses at today's hearing. As we have heard today, the Carcieri decision continues to impact tribes. The decision will continue to significantly hamper the ability of tribes to provide for the needs and safety of their members and to attract the economic development opportunities necessary for tribes to be truly self-sufficient.
The Committee will continue its efforts to make sure a Carcieri fix - a clean Carcieri fix -- is passed this Congress to restore the original intent of the Indian Reorganization Act.
Mahalo - thank you.
Senate Indian Affairs Committee
Aloha and welcome to the Committee's oversight hearing on "The Carcieri Crisis: The Ripple Effect on Jobs, Economic Development and Public Safety in Indian Country."
Today's topic - the Carcieri decision is not a new one to the Committee or to Indian Country. Since the Supreme Court's decision in February 2009, the Committee has held numerous hearings, roundtables, and listening sessions to examine what the Carcieri decision means to tribes.
Following the Carcieri decision, tribal leaders, legal scholars, and Administration officials predicted the ruling would: lead to an increase in litigation in Indian Country, make it more difficult for tribes to develop economic opportunities to benefit their members and surrounding communities, and create confusion regarding public safety jurisdiction.
At today's hearing we will learn about the impacts that have occurred in the two and a half years since the Supreme Court's Carcieri decision.
As I have said before in prior hearings, I believe it is the responsibility of Congress to set this right. This Committee has already favorably reported Carcieri fix language and we intend to keep examining the impacts on tribes in order to demonstrate the urgent need for the entire Congress to act on this matter.
I want to again express my mahalo to the witnesses at today's hearing. As we have heard today, the Carcieri decision continues to impact tribes. The decision will continue to significantly hamper the ability of tribes to provide for the needs and safety of their members and to attract the economic development opportunities necessary for tribes to be truly self-sufficient.
The Committee will continue its efforts to make sure a Carcieri fix - a clean Carcieri fix -- is passed this Congress to restore the original intent of the Indian Reorganization Act.
Mahalo - thank you.
