Senate Funds Black Farmers, Native American Settlements
The Senate on Friday approved almost $4.6 billion to settle longstanding claims brought by American Indians and black farmers against the U.S. government.
The money has been held up in the Senate as Democrats and Republicans squabbled over how to pay for it. Both lawsuits were filed more than a decade ago.
The settlements include almost $1.2 billion for black farmers who say they suffered discrimination by 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 passage of this bill is long overdue," said John ... Click here for more »