GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — The deadline for Congress to approve funding for a $3.4 billion Indian trust settlement has been pushed back again.
Congress now has until April 16 to authorize the settlement payment in the class action lawsuit filed 13 years ago.
The settlement includes $1.4 billion to pay Individual Indian Money account holders. Account holders sued the government over the Interior Department's mismanagement of royalties received for natural resource development.
Congress initially had a Dec. 31 deadline to approve the settlement money, but that was extended to Feb. 28 and now April 16.
Lead plaintiff Elouise Cobell of Browning says the delay is frustrating, but she says she believes the settlement will be approved.
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