The Department of Agriculture is not ready to discuss a settlement in the Keepseagle case, a spokesperson for Secretary Tom Vilsack said.

Indian farmers and ranchers hope to end their decade-long lawsuit alleging discrimination in loans and services. They point to President Barack Obama, who supported a similar settlement involving African-American farmers.

But a Vilsack spokesperson told The Washington Post it was "premature" to discuss settlement. "Secretary Vilsack and his senior leadership team are committed to timely addressing allegations of discrimination made by USDA employees, applicants and customers," the spokesperson said.

Regardless of the Obama administration's stance, the plaintiffs are ready to go to trial. They say they were treated differently than white farmers and have faced financial difficulty as a result.

Get the Story:
Farmers See Ray of Hope in USDA Bias Case (The Washington Post 9/29)

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