S. 1989 would provide a mechanism for the determination on the merits of the claims of claimants who met the class criteria in a civil action relating to racial discrimination by the Department of Agriculture but who were denied that determination.
Detailed Summary
Pigford Claims Remedy Act of 2007 - Declares that any Pigford claimant (relating to a racial discrimination action against the Department of Agriculture) who has not previously obtained a determination on the merits of a Pigford claim may, in a civil action, obtain that determination.
Asserts that it is Congress' intent that this Act be liberally construed so as to effectuate its remedial purpose of giving a full determination on the merits for each denied Pigford claim.
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide a claimant with a report on farm credit loans made within the claimant's county or adjacent county during a specified period which shall contain information on all accepted applicants (but without any personally identifiable information), including: (1) the applicant's race; (2) the application and loan decision dates; and (3) the location of the office making the loan decision.
Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) expedited claim resolution; and (2) foreclosure limitation.
Defines: (1) "Pigford claimant" as an individual who previously submitted a late-filing request under the consent decree in the case of <i>Pigford v. Glickman </i>(1999); and (2) "Pigford claim" as a discrimination complaint as defined and documented by such consent decree.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 8/3/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
The Spirit of Truth
This bill is a start, but the problem with the gross misconduct cited in the original action is still being carried out today. Away from Washington, some of the State Offices of the FSA are carrying out the same deceitful tactics that would make Jim and Jane Crow blush.
It is clear that the USDA can't police itself from these horrible crimes against humanity and some of the good ol' boys in the judicial system in the south have no regard for the law and have on more than one occasion have defied federal law to keep this USDA out of the hotwater.
I didn't know "forty acres and a mule was so hard to come by".
The next farm bill should have a special congressional committee to hear each case on it's own merit. That panel should be represented fairly by black congressmen.