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House takes testimony on trust fund settlement
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2003

The House Resources Committee on Wednesday held a hearing on possible settlement of the Cobell Indian trust fund lawsuit.

Chairman Richard Pombo (R-Calif.) and other members asserted jurisdiction over the issue, saying they will fight proposals by the House Appropriations Committee. Pombo and others are opposing a provision in the Department of Interior's 2004 budget bill to creates a settlement program that allows the government to unilaterally settle trust fund accounts.

The committee heard from Associate Deputy Secretary Jim Cason, who outlined several "options" for moving forward. However, he said the Bush administration wasn't willing to settle for billions.

A slate of Indian and tribal leaders said they supported settlement but differed on how to get there. Lead plaintiff Elouise Cobell and National Congress of American Indians President Tex Hall said Congress should let the court decide. John Berrey, chairman of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, said U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth has gone "insane" by expanding the scope of the suit.

Other Indian representatives said the case has taken priority over other issues. But they all opposed the appropriations rider, which will probably be debated on the House floor next week.

Get the Story:
Congress asked to act in Indian trust case (The Billings Gazette 7/10)
Plan to settle Indian trust fund case criticized (The Daily Oklahoman 7/10)
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House Panel Opposes Indian Money Proposal (AP 7/10)
Official Says Class Action on Indian Fund Is a Top Issue (The New York Times 7/10)
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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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