October Term 2003 · Docket 03-107
Can Congress override tribal sovereignty limits?
The dispute centers on whether Congress exceeded its power when amending the Indian Civil Rights Act.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
The government cites the Duro decision as the starting point.
The defendant claims Congress overruled the Court's sovereignty limits.
The government notes individuals can disavow Indian affiliation.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-55 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 23-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 21-25
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests the boundary of federal legislative power over tribal courts.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-55 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 23-55
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 21, 2004.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 21-25
What each side wants
The government wants the Court to uphold the congressional amendment.
The defendant wants the Court to strike down the amendment.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-55 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 23-55
What each side says
The government argues the amendment validly expands tribal jurisdiction.
The defendant argues Congress exceeded its constitutional authority.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-55 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 23-55
What the justices asked
The Chief Justice asked if the case was submitted.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 21-25
Why it matters
This case defines the balance between federal law and tribal self-governance.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-55 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 23-55
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 21-25
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-55 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 23-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-55 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 23-55
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.