Senate Indian Affairs Committee Oversight hearing on Indian Tribes and the Federal Election Campaign Act, February 8, 2006. � Introduction - 3:43 - 872kb � Panel I - 23:18 - 5.3MB | Q&A - 31:03 - 7.1MB • Panel II - 20:59 - 4.8MB | Q&A - 27:58 - 6.4MB � Witness List | Webcast

The newest member of the Federal Election Commission is supporting legislation that would impose limits on tribal political donations, The Hill newspaper reports.

Hans von Spakovsky, who was not confirmed by the Senate and was installed by President Bush as a recess appointment, is putting out a statement that calls on tribes either to adhere to the same limits as "individuals" or to register and disclose political contributions by creating political actions committees.

"If tribes are not going to be subject to the aggregate limit, then they should have to register and report their financial contributions and expenditures with the FEC just like a PAC," von Spakovsky writes in the statement, which has not been made public yet, according to The Hill.

The chairman and the vice chairman of the FEC testified last week on the issue. While they said more disclosure of tribal donation is needed, they did not support or endorse any legislative proposals to impose limits on tribes.

Get the Story:
New FEC commissioner wants limits on tribal campaign giving (The Hill 2/14)

FEC Advisory:
Indian Tribes (February 2, 2006)

Federal Elections Commission Opinions:
Advisory Opinion 1999-32 (January 28, 2000) | Advisory Opinion 2000-05 (May 15, 2000) | Advisory Opinion 2005-01 (March 14, 2005)

More Advisory Opinion 2005-01 Documents:
Advisory Opinion Draft A and Draft B | Tribe's Request for Advisory Opinion

Relevant Links:
Federal Election Commission - http://www.fec.gov
PoliticalMoneyLine - http://www.politicalmoneyline.com
Center for Responsive Politics - http://www.opensecrets.org

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