Nick Rahall: “Today, we are considering a measure which will settle over a combined century of litigation. The bill will bring to…”

“Today, we are considering a measure which will settle over a combined century of litigation. The bill will bring to closure some shameful acts undertaken by the United States, and it will allow several communities to move forward in rebuilding their communities and their trust in the United States. With passage of this legislation, Congress will resolve six outstanding litigation matters consisting of two class action lawsuits and four water settlements. In addition, the bill includes the initial installment to fund another water settlement passed earlier this Congress. First, claims by individual Indians for a historical accounting and mismanagement of individual Indian money accounts in Cobell vs. Salazar will be resolved. After a century of mismanagement by the Federal Government, a class action lawsuit was initiated by individual Indians against the United States seeking redress for the mismanagement. This bill will provide $1.5 billion to be distributed to individual Indians and to pay administrative and attorneys' fees. An additional $1.9 billion will be used to fund a Trust Land Consolidation Fund so that highly fractionated lands may be repurchased and consolidated into single tribal ownership again. This will streamline administration of trust lands. After 14 years of litigation and several attempts by the parties to settle, the administration has brought an end to a problem first created by Congress over 120 years ago.”