Daniel Inouye: “I rise this moment to speak in favor of an amendment proposed by my dear friend from New Mexico, Senator Bingaman. I…”

“I rise this moment to speak in favor of an amendment proposed by my dear friend from New Mexico, Senator Bingaman. I find it rather uncomfortable and sad that my remarks may be counter to that of my colleague from New Mexico, my dear friend, Mr. Domenici, and my colleague, the chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee. Mr. President, as you know, there is a longstanding relationship between the United States and the sovereign Indian nations that won exercise, exclusive dominion, and control over lands that now comprise our great country. The large body of Federal Indian law is known as trust responsibility, and it was first given expression by the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, John Marshall, in 1832. This relationship is premised upon the sovereignty of the Indian nations, a sovereignty that existed well before the U.S. Government was formed, and it is memorialized in the United States Constitution. This trust relationship that has always formed the course of dealings between the U.S. and Indian tribes is well understood and beyond debate. The United States holds legal title to lands that it held in trust for Indian tribes. Accordingly, activities affecting Indian lands and resources have always been subject to approval by the Secretary of the Interior Department, acting as the principal agent for the United States. That is the law of the land.”