WASHINGTON — The Senate has approved almost $4.6 billion to settle long-standing claims brought by American Indians and black farmers against the government.
The money had been held up for months in the Senate as Democrats and Republicans squabbled over how to pay for it. The two class-action lawsuits were filed over a decade ago.
The settlements include almost $1.2 billion for black farmers who say they suffered discrimination at the hands of the Agriculture Department. Also, $3.4 billion would go to Indian landowners who claim they were swindled out of royalties by the Interior Department.
The legislation was approved in the Senate on Friday and sent to the House.
Elouise Cobell, a member of the Blackfeet Tribe from Browning, Mont., and the lead plaintiff in the Indian case, said Friday that it took her breath away when she found out the Senate had passed the bill.
“It’s 17 below, and the Blackfeet nation is feeling warm,” she said.
John Boyd, head of the National Black Farmers Association, said the passage of the black farmers’ money is long overdue.
“Twenty-six years’ justice is in sight for our nation’s black farmers,” he said.
Details about claims
American Indians: At least 300,000 American Indians claim they were swindled out of royalties overseen by the Interior Department since 1887 for things such as oil, gas, grazing and timber.
Black farmers: This is the second round of funding from a class-action lawsuit settled in 1999 over allegations of discrimination by local Agriculture Department offices in awarding loans and other aid. The new money is intended for people — estimates say 70,000 or 80,000 — who were denied earlier payments because they missed filing deadlines.
