The Montana Democratic Party will make a slight change to the wording of its ad that criticizes Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Montana) for his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
The ad will clarify that Burns not only received campaign contributions from Abramoff but also from his tribal clients and his partner Michael Scanlon. In total, Burns received $136,000 -- the most of any lawmaker in the Senate or the House.
Burns is chairman of the Interior Appropriations subcommittee. The 2004 appropriations bill contained three separate provisions that benefited Abramoff's tribal clients. One provision was $3 million for the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe's school project even though the wealthy tribe didn't qualify for the program.
Another was language warning the Interior Department against off-reservation gaming, a stance that helped two of Abramoff's clients. The third was language that urged the Bureau of Indian Affairs to make a decision on the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's bid for federal recognition.
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