Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Montana) is asking the House Natural Resources Committee to take action to settle the Indian trust fund lawsuit.

The $3.4 billion settlement was announced on December 7, 2009. But only one hearing has been held on a deal that would provide $1.412 billion to Indian beneficiaries and create a $2 billion land consolidation fund.

"Tribal members have waited long enough. It took more than three months after the settlement was announced for the Committee to hold a public hearing on this matter," Rehberg said in a letter to the chairman and ranking member of the committee.

"For nearly five months, there has been no legislative text before either body of Congress. This legislation needs to be moved in the light of day, in an open and transparent manner," Rehberg said.

President Barack Obama has asked Congress to fund the settlement twice since December. The most recent request was transmitted on February 12.

The request includes language to appropriate money for the settlement and to ensure tribal members don't have to pay federal taxes on their share or risk losing federal benefits based on their share. But so far no one in the House or the Senate has introduced a bill.

"I’m not asking the Committee and Congress to consider such legislation in a manner that hastily ignores the important implications of this settlement. Hearings should be held and the settlement’s provisions debated," Rehberg said. "Before this can happen, however, a bill needs to be introduced. Account holders are seeking more information on what this settlement means. Unfortunately, they’re left without answers."

Get the Story:
Rehberg urges Congressional action to authorize Cobell settlement (The Clark Fork Chronicle 4/15)

Relevant Documents:
Agreement | Press Release | Q&A | Audio

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