Senate Strips Funding For Legal Settlement To Black Farmers From War Bill

[ProSense]

Senate Strips Funding For Legal Settlement To Black Farmers From War Bill

Rachel Slajda

Five months after President Obama announced a $1.25 billion settlement for black farmers who faced overt discrimination by the USDA in the eighties and nineties -- and several days after the Sherrod case brought the issue up again -- Congress again refused to authorize the money.

On Thursday, the Senate quietly stripped the funding for the Pigford II settlement and several other programs from a supplemental war funding bill. Senators then unanimously passed their version of the bill, which will go back to the House.

Conservative opposition to the settlement came to light last week in the aftermath of the Shirley Sherrod scandal. A farm collective founded by Sherrod and her husband that was forced out of business by the discriminatory practices received a $13 million settlement as part of Pigford last year, just before she was hired by the USDA. Some, including Rep. Steve King (R-IA), have called the settlement a fraud.

Majority Leader Harry Reid blamed Republicans for the failure to pass Pigford.

"I hoped that tonight the Senate could finally right a wrong that has been left unresolved for far too long. But Republicans stood in the way," he said in a statement. "As recent events have reminded us, the fact that justice and fairness were denied to black farmers for so many years continues to have ramifications today. ... Republicans should be held accountable for standing in the way of justice for those affected."

But several Democrats -- including Sens. Evan Bayh (IN) and Tom Carper (DE) -- also voted to block the bill.

[Llewlladdwr]

1. Can someone please explain to me why Pigford was re-opened? NT

[The Magistrate]

2. Suing A Government For Damages, Sir, has Odd Elements

Basically, the government must both assent to being sued, or the suit cannot proceed, and then it must agree to abide by any adverse judgement. When a Federal court rules the U.S. government owes someone money, the funds to pay that judgement must be appropriated by the Congress; the judge cannot direct any expenditure, nor command the Congress to do anything particular. Congress is notorious about dallying over such appropriations, though this seems a particularly egregious instance.

[Llewlladdwr]

3. Thank you much.

What has me confused is why the 1+ billion dollar appropriation? It's my understanding that the award was for $13 millioin which has already been set aside. What are the additional funds for?

[ProSense]

4. Here

Black farmers win $1.25 billion in discrimination suit

[The Magistrate]

5. Ms. Sherrod's Family Is Just One Of Many Plaintiffs Here, Sir

[John Agar]

6. This is very disappointing especially after what we saw last week.

What happens now?