Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Montana) said he is "looking" into allegations that he paid a special favor t one of Jack Abramoff's former tribal clients while Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota) is denying the claims.

Burns helped the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan obtain $3 million for a new school even though the tribe wasn't part of a Bureau of Indian Affairs program meant to help poor tribes. Abramoff previously boasted of helping the tribe get the money.

Burns told the Associated Press he was "surprised" to read about the allegations when they were detailed in The Washington Post on Tuesday. Dorgan "had nothing to do with it," his spokesperson told the AP. The Post ran a correction today that said Dorgan did not support the proposal..

Dorgan is the vice chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Get the Story:
Burns pushed for tribal funds, report says (AP 3/2)
CORRECTIONS (The Washington Post 3/2)
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Relevant Links:
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe - http://www.sagchip.org
Saginaw Chippewa Voices - http://www.scitmembervoices.com

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