Washington ( CNN ) -- 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 . The 1997 Pigford v. Glickman case against the U.S. Agriculture Department was settled out of court 11 years ago . Under a federal judge 's terms dating to 1999 , qualified farmers could receive $ 50,000 each to settle claims of racial bias . `` This is much long overdue justice for black farmers , '' said John Boyd , founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association . President Barack Obama issued a statement applauding the Senate 's decision and urging the House to follow-up on its efforts earlier this year , so he can sign the settlements into law . Officials are still working to resolve similar discrimination lawsuits filed against the U.S. Department of Agriculture by women and Latino farmers , according to Obama . `` While these legislative achievements reflect important progress , they also serve to remind us that much work remains to be done , '' Obama said . In another statement , Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack called the settlements `` a major milestone in the U.S. Department of Agriculture 's efforts to turn the page on a sad chapter . '' Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nevada , also said the vote gives `` long-suffering Americans ... the closure that they deserve . '' `` The agreement that we reached shows what can happen when Democrats and Republicans come together to do the right thing , '' he said . The measure was approved by unanimous consent . The Senate also cleared -- in the same piece of legislation -- $ 3.4 billion to fund a separate settlement reached with the Department of Interior for mishandling of a trust fund managed for Native Americans . The bill also includes settlements for four water-right lawsuits filed by Native American tribes . In July , the House approved a war supplemental bill that included money to pay for the settlements . At the time , however , the Senate failed to approve the measure . Sen. Tom Coburn , R-Oklahoma , dropped an objection to the package this week after Senate leaders agreed not to finance it through additional deficit spending . Prominent members of both parties have voiced support for paying out the settlements . The measure will now have to be approved by the lame duck House before moving to Obama 's desk to be signed into law . CNN 's Ted Barrett and Alan Silverleib contributed to this report .
NEW : Obama administration lauds step to settle discrimination claims by blacks , Indians . NEW : Officials are working to resolve similar lawsuits by women and Indians . The Black Farmers Association approved a $ 1.15 billion settlement for minority farmers , sources say . Senate president calls the Senate action `` long overdue justice ''