Pigford settlement

Senate Punts Again On Settlement For African American Farmers

Rachel Slajda | August 6, 2010, 3:47PM

Farmer Robert Horton, Sr., and wife, Maggie, of Tennessee have applied to be part of the USDA's Pigford settlement

The Senate tried twice yesterday to pass the Pigford II settlement, a $1.15 billion authorization for African-American farmers who were discriminated against by the USDA. The Senate failed, twice -- and now the authorization will have to wait until September, when senators return from recess.

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Health Care

Asked About Charge Of Meddling, Gibbs Says FDA Drug Imports Stand Hasn't Changed

Justin Elliott | December 22, 2009, 1:32PM

Robert Gibbs and Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

Asked about a Dem senator's accusation that the White House pressured the FDA to send a letter that helped kill a drug importation measure, Robert Gibbs did not directly address the charge, but maintained that the FDA has had safety concerns for years.

After his drug imports amendment was defeated last week, Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) asserted that an FDA letter raising safety concerns about the measure may have originated in the White House.

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Health Care

Did White House Pressure FDA To Help Kill Measure To Make Drugs Cheaper?

Justin Elliott | December 18, 2009, 3:08PM

President Barack Obama and Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) (inset)

After the Food and Drug Administration fired off a letter that helped kill a measure fiercely opposed by the drug industry, one Democratic senator is accusing the Obama White House of using the FDA -- which is supposed to offer apolitical opinions -- as a bludgeon.

The drug importation amendment to the health reform bill, which would have saved the government and consumers billions of dollars by allowing prescription purchases from Canada and elsewhere, was killed in the Senate late Tuesday with an assist from the FDA letter. The 51-48 vote fell short of the 60 votes needed.

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