Court Opinion

ID: 9849525
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 04:41:48.917098+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:20:16.829155
License: Public Domain

RIPPLE, Circuit Judge,
concurring.
I join the judgment and the opinion of the court. I write separately simply to underline that today’s decision does not constitute a departure from the general rule that once Congress has established a reservation, its boundaries remained fixed unless Congress explicitly diminishes those boundaries or disestablishes the reservation. As the court’s opinion makes explicit, this general proposition is firmly embedded in our jurisprudence. See Solem v. Bartlett, 465 U.S. 463, 470, 104 S.Ct. 1161, 79 L.Ed.2d 443 (1984). Moreover, explicit legislative language remains “[t]he most probative evidence of congressional intent.” Id.
Today’s opinion not only states these propositions unequivocally, but also demonstrates cogently that the unique historical context makes it unreasonable for us to demand a clearer statement in the statutory language. On this basis, I am pleased to join the judgment and the opinion of the court.
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