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Holder, Salazar: Don’t change Cobell settlement

The Columbian
Published: June 9, 2010, 12:00am

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The Obama administration has urged Senate leaders not to change a proposed $3.4 billion settlement in a class-action lawsuit over royalties owed to American Indians.

Attorney General Eric Holder and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar sent letters to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday.

The letters say any changes in the agreement could nullify the deal.

The Senate faces a June 15 deadline to vote on the settlement.

The proposed agreement calls for the Interior Department to distribute $1.4 billion some 300,000 to 500,000 Indians with land held in trust by the federal government.

But Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming has suggested some revisions, including capping attorney fees at $50 million.

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