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TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2003

A controversial proposal to end the Indian trust fund lawsuit was removed from the Department of Interior's 2004 appropriations bill under an agreement announced on Monday.

Rep. Richard Pombo (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Resources Committee, said the House Interior Appropriations Committee agreed to remove the settlement language. Pombo said resolution of the matter belonged in his panel.

Elouise Cobell, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, and other Indian leaders rose in unanimous opposition to the provision at a hearing Pombo held last week. In a statement, Cobell yesterday praised Pombo for his leadership and said Congress can play a role in settling the seven-year-old case.

Get the Story:
House Members Give Up Bid to End Lawsuit (AP 7/15)
Indian trust settlement bill to be revised (The Daily Oklahoman 7/15)
Username: indianz@indianz.com, Password: indianz

Relevant Documents:
Section 137 | Report Language on Cobell/Settlement | Full House Report 108-195

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com
Cobell v. Norton, Department of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/cases/cobell/index.htm
Indian Trust, Department of Interior - http://www.doi.gov/indiantrust

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