Sen. Tester worried about finding money to pay Cobell settlement
Republicans will take over the House next year and that's reason enough to take action now on the $3.4 billion settlement to the Indian trust fund lawsuit, according to Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana).

The House has voted twice to pass the deal. But calls for fiscal restraint in the next Congress could make it harder to pay for the settlement, Tester said.

Congress will return to work for a lame-duck session later this month. Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Montana), who otherwise supports the Cobell settlement, says lawmakers should wait until next year to approve big-ticket items like appropriations bills.

Get the Story:
Rehberg talks of GOP spending restraint (The Great Falls Tribune 11/5)

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