A federal judge Friday granted preliminary approval of the $1.25 billion class-action settlement in decades-old discrimination cases brought by against black farmers. Last December President Obama signed the “Claims Remedy Act of 2010,” which provided $1.25 billion in funding for the black farmers’ late filers class-action lawsuit.

"It is important to have a farm bill in 2012 that provides an equitable measure of support for all farmers. Currently, the largest 10% of farms receive 74% of federal farm subsidies, while 60% of American farmers receive no direct support."

John W. Boyd Jr., the steadfast leader of the National Black Farmers Association, was in high spirits last December. President Barack Obama had just signed a bill authorizing $1.25 billion to settle a long-standing discrimination case filed by thousands of black farmers against the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The feat was hailed as a landmark civil rights victory, and Boyd was relieved to finally see justice for his constituents.

Whether the nation's black farmers share in the $1.5 billion they were promised in the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 rests partly with federal Judge Paul Friedman of Washington, D.C., according to John W. Boyd, founder-president of the National Black Farmers Association.

In December, President Barack Obama signed into law House Resolution 4783, the Claims Resolution Act of 2010. This act provides funding for settlement agreements reached in the Pigford II lawsuit on behalf of African-American farmers as well as the Cobell lawsuit, concerning land trust management and water rights issues on behalf of Native American individuals and tribal nations, especially in New Mexico, Arizona and Montana.

President Barack Obama on Wednesday signed a $1.15 billion measure to fund a settlement initially reached between the Agriculture Department and minority farmers more than a decade ago.

John Boyd Jr. finally got what he wanted: justice. For more than a decade, he's been riding his tractor to Washington, knocking on the doors of Congressional members, and pressuring the White House to fund a settlement from an historic discrimination case involving minority farmers.

Today, Speaker Pelosi joined with Democratic Members of the House and Senate to enroll the bill and send it to President Obama for his signature into law.

A bill approving a $1.25 billion discrimination settlement for black farmers was passed by the House earlier this week and is headed for President Barack Obama's desk to be signed.

Decades-old claims from African American farmers and native Americans that the government mistreated and swindled them out of billions of dollars can finally be settled starting Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed landmark legislation to fund claims filed by Black farmers who say that the U.S. Agriculture Department denied them loans and other assistance because of their race.

The House has given final Congressional approval to a bill that would provide more than $4.55 billion to settle tens of thousands of longstanding claims brought by African Americans farmers and American Indians.

The U.S. Senate has approved a payout of more than $4.5 billion to settle longstanding claims of government mismanagement and discrimination against black farmers and Native Americans.

The Senate on Friday approved almost $4.6 billion to settle longstanding claims brought by American Indians and black farmers against the U.S. government.

For thousands of African-American farmers, it's a pay-out that's been a long-time in coming. Brianna Keilar shows us their long journey and Fredricka Whitfield talks with founder of the National Black Farmers Association John Boyd.

After months of hang-ups, the Senate unanimously approved Friday two multibillion-dollar settlements that will rectify long-standing claims against the federal government for discrimination and mismanagement.

The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved a combined $4.55 billion in settlements to black farmers and Native Americans, ending years of litigation on charges of racial bias and mismanagement.

Late Friday afternoon in an almost empty U.S. Capitol, the Senate passed by a voice vote approximately $4.6 billion in payments for black farmers and American Indian tribes who claimed discrimination by the federal government.

The U.S. Senate approved a $1.15 billion measure Friday to fund a settlement initially reached between the Agriculture Department and minority farmers more than a decade ago.

Today, White House staff met with John Boyd, founder of the National Black Farmers Association, to discuss the Pigford II settlement. White House staff reiterated the President's commitment on this issue and the need for Congress to act and implement funding for the Black Farmers.