Pelosi Statement on Senate Passage of the Pigford, Cobell Settlements

Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement this evening on the Senate's passage of legislation that would provide funding to settle African American farmers' and Native Americans' lawsuits against the federal government:

'I have long urged my colleagues in the Senate to take up Pigford and Cobell legislation and bring a much-delayed end to serious cases of discrimination.  Today, we are one step closer to ensuring that the black farmers and Native Americans in these suits are fully compensated for past failures of judgment by the government.

'It is my hope that the House will move forward without delay so we can send this bill to the President and finally close the door on these injustices."