U.S. settles Native American farmers' lawsuit for $760M

The Obama administration announced Tuesday a $760 million settlement to resolve longstanding discrimination claims by Native American farmers. The agreement marks the resolution of a 1999 lawsuit brought by Native American farmers and ranchers who say the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) discriminated against them in federal loan programs dating back to 1981. Under the settlement, $680 million will be paid out in damages, and an $80 million fund to forgive farm debts will be established. The settlement will set up two payment tracks for Native Americans who say they were denied USDA loans and services due to their race. One will require claimants to be a Native American farmer and provide substantial evidence of discrimination, earning a uniform award of $50,000. The other will have claimants be Native American farmers and provide more evidence of discrimination showing steep economic losses from discrimination, with awards capped at a maximum of $250,000. The news comes as Capitol Hill has yet to pass a measure to approve funding for a $1.15 billion settlement that would resolve complaints by black farmers, known as Pigford II...more