We see it a lot in politics – one side or the other attaches an important piece of legislation to a larger bill, sometimes loaded down with pork, and tries to get it passed. Then if someone votes against the larger more expensive bill, those votes are used in campaign commercials against them come election time.

It’s typical campaigning and it harms those who need the help the most.

The latest example of this type of politics is the Cobell v. Salazar class action lawsuit that dealt with the Federal Government’s mismanagement of the individual Indian trust. Basically, the Feds mismanaged billions of dollars that was generated from mineral excavation, timber harvest, and grazing on tribal lands the government holds in trust.

A $3.4 billion agreement was reached in December 2009. The lawsuit started way back in 1996.

Now, all that needs to be done is for Congress to approve it – and that’s where politics comes in to play.

Previously, the House had added the settlement to a jobs and tax package back in May that passed, but died in the Senate.

Now, the U.S. House of Representatives recently added the settlement to a bill that provides emergency war funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It passed and is headed to the Senate, but they are on vacation now. Supposedly there’s a July 9, 2010, deadline – but deadlines mean nothing to members of Congress as I read that this is the fifth such deadline – deadlines that were set by a Federal judge.

The Senate does not return from vacation until July 13 and when they do, the settlement may face some tinkering from that chamber. Some say the tinkering could derail the whole agreement.

It is time for Congress to put forth the Cobell v. Salazar settlement as a stand-alone bill, pass it as agreed to in Federal court, and get the much needed compensation to the Native Americans who have waited way too long for their rightful compensation from the Federal Government.

And, if someone votes against the stand-alone bill let the campaign commercials roll.