Senate passes black farmers settlement

CNN News, By the CNN Wire Staff, November 19, 2010

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• The Senate approved a roughly $1.15 billion settlement for minority farmers, sources say
• $3.4 billion was approved for mishandling a Native American trust fund
• The House has approved money for the settlement before; the Senate has not
• Black Farmers Association president calls the Senate action "long overdue justice"

Washington (CNN) -- The U.S. Senate approved a $1.15 billion measure Friday to fund a settlement initially reached between the Agriculture Department and minority farmers more than a decade ago.

John Boyd Jr. is the president of the National Black
Farmers Association.

The 1997 Pigford v. Glickman case against the U.S. Agriculture Department was settled out of court 11 years ago. Under a federal judge's terms dating to 1999, qualified farmers could receive $50,000 each to settle claims of racial bias.

"This is much long overdue justice for black farmers," said John Boyd, founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association.

"I am pleased these long-suffering Americans can now receive the closure that they deserve," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada. "The agreement that we reached shows what can happen when Democrats and Republicans come together to do the right thing."

The measure was approved by unanimous consent.

The Senate also cleared -- in the same piece of legislation -- $3.4 billion to fund a separate settlement reached with the Department of Interior for mishandling of a trust fund managed for Native Americans.

In July, the House approved a war supplemental bill that included money to pay for the settlements. At the time, however, the Senate failed to approve the measure.

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, dropped an objection to the package this week after Senate leaders agreed not to finance it through additional deficit spending.

Prominent members of both parties have voiced support for paying out the settlements.

The measure will now have to be approved by the lame duck House before moving to President Barack Obama's desk to be signed into law.

CNN's Ted Barrett and Alan Silverleib contributed to this report.

Related Articles:

Senate Votes $4.6 Billion for Indian, Black Farmer Settlements

Australia moves to recognize Aborigines in constitution