Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-California), the powerful chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, is the subject of a Department of Justice investigation, The Washington Post reports.

The probe stems from Lewis' connection with a friend's lobbying firm. Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White hired two former Lewis staffers, one of whom recently went back to work for Lewis.

The probe is also connected to former Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-California), who recently pleaded guilty to accepting $2.4 million in bribes.

The House Appropriations Committee this week approved the 2007 Interior appropriations bill. According to the committee, it contains $5.9 billion for Indian programs, $204 million above the 2006 level.

Get the Story:
House Appropriations Chairman Is Facing Federal Investigation (The Washington Post 5/12)
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Press Release: HIGHTLIGHTS OF THE FY07 INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT APPROPRIATIONS BILL (House Appropriations Committee 5/11)

Relevant Links:
House Appropriations Committee - http://appropriations.house.gov
Rep. Jerry Lewis - http://www.house.gov/jerrylewis

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