Today, Representative Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 4783, the Claims Resolution Act by a vote of 256 to 152. This important piece of legislation provides nearly$4.6 billion to settle long-standing claims by African American farmers and Native American trust account holders against the Federal Government.

“Today, I proudly casted my vote to end marginalizing these hardworking Americans who have greatly contributed to our society. For decades, minority famers have been waiting for the Government to rectify long periods of discrimination towards over 300,000 minority farmers. The Pigford settlement corrects a long standing practice by the Department of Agriculture to deny minority farmers loans because of their race. The Cobell settlement deals with the mismanagement of federal trust funds, which caused billions of dollars in fees and royalties to go unaccounted. It is important that we rectify the injustices of our past, and move forward to a prosperous and successful future.”

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