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

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