Last week, the $3.4 billion Cobell v. Salazar settlement, which would partially compensate hundreds of thousands of Native American families for federal mismanagement of royalties due them, appeared dead – or at least comatose.

Congressional approval is required before money can be distributed from the huge class-action lawsuit filed by Elouise Cobell, who is Blackfeet from Browning, Mont. But the settlement was part of a jobs bill that was killed last week in the Senate.

This morning comes the news from Cobell spokesman Bill McAllister:

“The Cobell settlement was successfully attached late last night to an appropriations bill in the House. The Senate must approve after it returns July 11.”

Stay tuned for updates later today. For a story on the 14-year struggle that produced the settlement, click here.

Gwen Florio

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