The White House hosted a conference call this afternoon on H.R.4783, the Claims Settlement Act of 2010.

The bill authorizes the $3.4 billion settlement to the Indian trust fund lawsuit. It also provides funds for tribal water rights cases in three states and for a settlement with African-American farmers.

The Senate passed the bill on November 19. The Obama administration is pressing the House to take action soon.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Interior Deputy Secretary David Hayes and Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli discussed the bill on the call. Vilsack spoke about the African-American settlement while Hayes and Perrelli talked about Cobell and the water rights cases. All three answered questions from reporters.

Audio: Vilsack, Hayes and Perrelli | Q&A

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

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