United States v. Orleans

United States v. Orleans was a 1960 Supreme Court case addressing whether Congress could include language in legislation that overrode existing legal protections for certain Native American lands. The case focused on whether Congress had the authority to limit the rights of Native tribes to challenge land transfers in courts. The Court held that Congress cannot diminish tribal rights through legislation, affirming that Native tribes retain certain legal protections and that courts can review government actions affecting tribal lands. The decision reinforced the principle that congressional power is limited when it conflicts with established rights of Native peoples.