Congress returns to work today for a lame-duck session that could see the passage of the $3.4 billion settlement to the Indian trust fund lawsuit.

The Obama administration and Democrats say the settlement is a priority. But with only about a month left in the session, there won't be too many opportunities to advance the deal.

Next year, the chances for passage could be harder when Republicans take over the House. Democrats will still be in charge of the Senate.

Get the Story:
Tough decisions await lame-duck Congress (The Great Falls Tribune 11/14)

Cobell Settlement Documents:
Agreement | Press Release | Q&A | Audio

Related Stories:
Sen. Tester worried about finding money to pay Cobell settlement (11/5)
Justice Department honors attorneys who work on Cobell case (10/27)
Cobell calls $3.5B settlement 'best we're going to get' in case (10/18)
Judge hopes for 'one last chance' for Congress to support Cobell (10/15)
Opinion: Time to pass Cobell and African-American settlements (10/08)
Elouise Cobell provides update about state of trust settlement (10/4)
Cobell worried about ties to African-American farmers lawsuit (10/4)
Cobell settlement changed to give more money to beneficiaries (10/1)
Elouise Cobell statement on lack of Senate vote for settlement (9/30)
Republican opposition kills vote on Cobell settlement in Senate (9/30)
Cobell probably not included in stopgap appropriations measure (9/28)
Cobell not included in bill for African-American farmer settlement (9/27)
Editorial: Time running out for Senate to act on Cobell settlement (9/24)
Marty Two Bulls: Something stinky about Cobell trust settlement (9/24)
John Boyd: Cobell lawsuit delaying African-American settlement (9/23)
African-American farmers don't want settlement linked to Cobell (9/22)
Shakopee Tribe awards $50K grant for Cobell case documentary (9/20)
White House asks Congress to fund $3.4B Cobell trust settlement (9/16)
Elouise Cobell: Sen. Barrasso needs to work for trust settlement (9/13)
Obama calls trust fund settlement 'priority' at press conference (9/13)