A U.S. district judge in Alabama has a dispute brought to his court in which an employee is suing her employer over improper termination on gender discrimination. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which include several western states, and the U.S. District Court of Kansas have both previously ruled on very similar cases under the same law and sided with the employee. Which of the following is the likely action this federal judge will take? *
A The judge must rule in the same way because of binding precedent
B The judge will read the other two courts' opinions and consider them before making a ruling
C The judge will ask the Justice Department for guidance
D The judge will refuse the hear the case because the federal courts have no jurisdiction