McCain swears off tribal money, but accepts contributions from lobbyists

[maddezmom]

McCain swears off tribal money, but accepts contributions from lobbyists
By Susan Crabtree
May 08, 2007
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who led the Senate Indian Affairs Committee investigation into the Jack Abramoff scandal, has sworn off taking tribal money in his presidential campaign but continues to accept donations from lobbyists whose firms represent tribal clients.

McCain spokesman Danny Diaz said the senator believes that tribes can spend their money in other ways. He added that McCain implemented the ban on tribal money when he became chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in the midst of the Abramoff scandal, before the panel began probing the tens of millions of dollars the tribes paid the former lobbyist.

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Reed and the three other members of his firm consistently have contributed to McCain’s presidential campaign, political action committee and reelection committee in the past three election cycles, doling out a total of $24,100.

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Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld, with its affiliate, Ietan Consulting, is another powerful player in the tribal lobbying community. Combined the two firms represent at least 21 tribal clients, and employees of the firm have cut $41,000 in checks to McCain committees in the past three election cycles.

Akin Gump also has a direct link to the Indian Affairs Committee probe. Michael Rossetti, an Akin Gump lobbyist who previously served as counsel to former Interior Secretary Gale Norton, testified before the panel against former Interior Deputy Secretary J. Stephen Griles.

more:http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/mccain-swears-off-tribal-money-but-accepts-contributions-from-lobbyists-2007-05-07.html