By MARY CLARE JALONICK and BEN EVANS
Associated Press Writers
WASHINGTON – Black farmers, due $1.2 billion for a legacy of discrimination by the Agriculture Department, suffered a new and disheartening setback this week, despite the national spotlight provided by the quickly disavowed firing of a black department worker.
The Senate refused again to pay the bill.
Opponents say it’s a question of where the money would come from, and that’s a a major issue with an election nearing and voters up in arms about federal spending.