Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), the chairman of the House Resources Committee, is being pressed by Rep. George Miller (D-California), another committee member, to investigate disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Miller wants Pombo to look into Abramoff's lobbying work on behalf of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory. The committee has jurisdiction over "insular" affairs, or those dealing with U.S. territories, in addition to Indian affairs.

Pombo has been linked to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts, one of Abramoff's former clients. He accepted $27,000 from the tribe, which is seeking federal recognition.

Pombo has not asked for an investigation into Abramoff's tribal work because that is already being handled by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. Pombo referred an earlier letter Miller wrote about the Marianas to the Department of Justice.

Get the Story:
Miller presses Pombo to investigate Abramoff (The Hill 12/15)
Democrat calls for investigation (The Tracy Press 12/15)

Relevant Links:
Rep. Richard Pombo - http://www.house.gov/pombo
House Resources Committee - http://resourcescommittee.house.gov

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