Home > News > Headlines

printer friendly version
McCain defends GOP senator tied to Abramoff
Thursday, July 28, 2005

Indianz.Com Listening Lounge, Senate Indian Affairs Committee oversight hearing on Lands eligible for gaming pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, July 27, 2005. Note: All files in MP3 format. Intro - 5:18 - 938k Vitter, Voinovich - 22:40 - 3.89MB Panel I - 35:00 - 6.00MB | Q&A - 20:17 - 3.48MB Panel II - 32:10 - 5.52MB Q&A - 21:26 - 3.67MB • Witness List

Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) defended Sen. David Vitter (R-Louisiana) on Wednesday after Vitter's ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff were documented in testimony by a Louisiana tribe.

McCain said Vitter's opposition to the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians has nothing to do with Abramoff, whose tribal clients also opposed the Jena Band. Media reports have shown how Abramoff's lobbying firm worked with Vitter's office against the Jena Band.

Jena Band Principal Chief Christine Norris testified at the hearing. Her written statement documented the links between Vitter and Abramoff but she focused on other issue in her oral statement.

McCain has said his investigation of Abramoff does not target lawmakers although several have been linked to the lobbyist's activities on behalf of tribal clients.

Get the Story:
McCain defends Vitter as tribe cries foul (The New Orleans Times-Picayune 7/28)

Relevant Links:
Sen. David Vitter - http://vitter.senate.gov
Jena Band of Choctaw Indians - http://www.jenachoctaw.org

Related Stories:
Republican tied to Abramoff pushes anti-gaming bill (06/17)
New Coushatta chairman hopes to sort out scandal (6/10)
Jena Band cites Abramoff in lawsuit against state (06/02)
Links to Abramoff not an issue for Sen. Vitter (05/30)
Bush officials worried about off-reservation gaming (05/20)
Bloomberg: Abramoff tribes gave $1.4M to Congress (05/19)
Column: Tribal bucks went to Republican interests (05/13)
McCain won't touch lawmakers in probe of Abramoff (04/28)
GOP letter to Norton came after Abramoff sent checks (03/30)
Both sides fighting tribe have ties to Abramoff (03/25)
Jena Choctaw Band back in spotlight in Louisiana (3/22)
Vitter won't say why he OKed Abramoff fundraiser (03/17)
Vitter responsible for anti-tribal appropriations rider (3/16)
Griles fought casino opposed by Abramoff client (3/14)
Tribe gave $75K to group founded by Norton (3/14)
DOI investigates contacts with group started by Norton (03/03)
Vitter denies helping Abramoff's former client (03/02)
Report: Former Norton organization subpoenaed (3/1)
Tribes gave $175K to group founded by Norton (2/28)
Coushatta Tribe sues ex-lobbyists for $32M (11/17)
Vitter 'conned' by group opposing tribe (11/12)
Senate panel asks Coushatta Tribe for tapes (10/27)
Ralph Reed paid $4.1M to oppose tribes (10/26)
Congressman denies knowing of tribe's backing (10/18)
Congressman's anti-gaming push backed by tribe (10/15)
Coushattas used lobbyists to spy on tribes, critics (09/13)
Coushatta member threatened over recall effort (08/09)
Coushatta treasurer accuses NIGC of lax oversight (04/12)
Coushatta leaders used tribal money to pay lobbyists (4/8)
Coushatta Tribe paid $32M to lobbyist Jack Abramoff (4/6)
Congressman builds opposition to Choctaw tribe (02/19)
Lawmaker seeks public input on casino plans (01/28)
Congressman to fight Jena casino proposal (01/23)
Editorial: Say no to tribal casino proposal (01/13)
Governor supports tribe's land request (01/10)
Choctaw Tribe still looking for land (09/05)
Still flapping over Jena compact (4/5)
Jena Choctaws still shopping (4/3)
Jena Choctaws continue search (3/11)
Choctaw casino compact rejected (3/8)
Jena casino news (3/8)
Jena casino compact denied (3/7)
Delay in Choctaw decision sought (3/7)
La. senator opposes Choctaw casino (3/5)
Norton lobbied on Choctaw casino (2/28)
Foster, Choctaw for casino (2/27)
La. Choctaws facing opposition (2/22)
Jena Choctaw plan large casino (2/7)
Choctaw seeking Louisiana casino (2/6)
AP: Choctaw compact approved (2/5)

Copyright © 2000-2005 Indianz.Com