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Decided

Salazar v. Ramah Navajo Chapter

Docket No.11-551
Op. Below10th Cir.
ArgumentApr 18, 2012
Vote5-4
AuthorSonia Sotomayor
OpinionJun 18, 2012
TermOctober Term 2011
SCOTUS PageOpinion

Holding

The federal government must pay in full each tribe"s contract support costs incurred by a tribal contractor under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, 25 U.S.C. § 450, even if Congress has failed to appropriate sufficient funds to cover all of the contract support costs owed to all tribal contractors collectively.

Judgment

Affirmed, 5-4, in an opinion by Sonia Sotomayor on Jun 18, 2012. The Chief Justice filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justices Ginsburg, Breyer, and Alito joined.

Merits Briefs for the Petitioners

Merits Briefs for the Respondents

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Respondents

[##CERT-STAGE##]

Related Coverage

Proceedings & orders timeline

Oct 20, 2011
Application (11A408) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from October 30, 2011 to November 13, 2011, submitted to Justice Sotomayor.
Oct 21, 2011
Application (11A408) granted by Justice Sotomayor extending the time to file until November 14, 2011.
Oct 31, 2011
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due November 30, 2011)
Nov 17, 2011
Order extending time to file response to petition to and including January 6, 2011.
Dec 9, 2011
Brief of respondents Ramah Navajo Chapter, et al. in opposition filed. (Distributed)
Dec 14, 2011
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 6, 2012.
Dec 15, 2011
Reply of petitioners Ken L. Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, et al filed. (Distributed)
Jan 6, 2012
Petition GRANTED.
Feb 3, 2012
SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Tuesday, April 18, 2012
Feb 16, 2012
Record received from U.S.C.A. for 10th Circuit. (1 box)
Feb 17, 2012
Joint appendix filed.
Feb 17, 2012
Brief of petitioners Ken L. Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, et al filed.
Feb 22, 2012
Record received from U.S.D.C. for District of New Mexico. (7 boxes)
Mar 7, 2012
CIRCULATED.
Mar 19, 2012
Brief of respondents Ramah Navajo Chapter, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Mar 26, 2012
Brief amici curiae of National Congress of American Indians, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Mar 26, 2012
Brief amicus curiae of Arctic Slope Native Association, Ltd. filed. (Distributed)
Mar 26, 2012
Brief amicus curiae of Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America filed. (Distributed)
Apr 11, 2012
Reply of petitioners Ken L. Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, et al filed. (Distributed)
Apr 18, 2012
Argued. For petitioners: Mark R. Freeman, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. For respondent: Carter G. Phillips, Washington, D. C.
Jun 18, 2012
Adjudged to be AFFIRMED Sotomayor, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, and Kagan, JJ., joined. Roberts, C. J., filed a dissenting opinion in which Ginsburg, Breyer, and Alito, JJ., joined.
Jul 20, 2012
JUDGMENT ISSUED.
Jul 26, 2012
Record returned to U.S.D.C. for District of Mew Mexico.
Jul 26, 2012
Record returned to U.S.C.A for 10th Circuit.

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