Elouise Cobell, the lead plaintiff in the Indian trust fund lawsuit, says time is running out to resolve the case through legislation.

Cobell anxiously awaited last week's Senate Indian Affairs Committee meeting on the settlement bill. But after a last minute meeting with the Bush administration, Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) and Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota) pulled it back.

"What kind of pressure happened that they pulled back and lost the greatest chance they had?" Cobell said, The Billings Gazette reported. "Who knows what goes on behind closed doors."

The legislation is being worked on while Congress is on break for the month of August. McCain said he hopes to have a package ready in September.

Get the Story:
Indian activist anxious to close book on huge lawsuit (The Billings Gazette 8/6)

Senate Indian Affairs Committee Statement:
INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE POSTPONES CONSIDERATION OF TRUST REFORM LEGISLATION (August 2, 2006)

Indian Trust Reform Act:
S.1439 | H.R.4322

Relevant Links:
Senate Indian Affairs Committee - http://indian.senate.gov
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Kempthorne - http://www.indiantrust.com
Office of Special Trustee - http://www.ost.doi.gov
Cobell v. Norton, Department of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/cases/cobell/index.htm

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