Senate Stalls Again On Settlements To Black Farmers, Native Americans

[laughingliberal]

WASHINGTON — Despite broad support, legislation to finalize $4.6 billion in settlements with black farmers and American Indians stalled in the Senate again Thursday amid partisan bickering.

Lawmakers from both parties say they support resolving the long-standing claims of discrimination and mistreatment by federal agencies. But the funding has been caught up for months in a fight over spending and deficits, with Republicans and Democrats arguing over how to pay for them.

Republicans have repeatedly blocked Democratic proposals and did so again Thursday. This time, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., argued that the settlement in the Indian case needs work and made a counter offer that would change parts of it.

An exasperated Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., responded that it's not Congress' role to renegotiate the case, which has been in court for 14 years and which the Obama administration is under a court-ordered deadline to resolve.

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/05/senate-stalls-black-farmers-native-americans_n_672753.html

[JI7]

1. what a stupid ass article, starts off claiming both sides support it but details show it's wingnuts

who are doing anything to stop it from passing. claiming it needs work and other shit rather than just voting for something they claim to support.

[laughingliberal]

3. I think the article gets to the issue of Republican obstruction pretty quickly.

"Republicans have repeatedly blocked Democratic proposals and did so again Thursday"

[Pirate Smile]

2. I think it was CNN who did a piece on the Black Farmers settlement not being able to get the money.

The point was to figure out whose fault it was that it couldn't get appropriated.

Now, I don't want anyone to faint or get the vapors from the shock but, essentially, it is the fault of ..... Republican Senators.

I know. It's hard to deal with that stunning news that Republican Senators are the ones blocking and delaying the money for Black farmers and Native Americans. Most of the black farmers are from the south so it is their actual representatives who keep blocking it. I know. Who could have guessed that...

[laughingliberal]

4. I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked! nt