Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), a member of the Chickasaw Nation, is fighting efforts to restrict the ability of tribes to make political donations.

Cole says he doesn't want tribes to be blame for the Jack Abramoff scandal. "I don't intend for Indians to be the scapegoat for what Jack Abramoff and (associate) Michael Scanlon did," Cole told The Oklahoman.

Cole met with top House Republicans, wrote a letter to colleagues and is forming a bipartisan coalition to oppose any limits that might be imposed on tribes. He doesn't think tribes should be subject to an aggregate cap, although tribes are subject to other limits.

Some Republicans are pushing for tribes to be subject to the same aggregate limits as individuals. Other reforms, such as making tribes report their contributions or form their own political action committees, are being considered.

Get the Story:
Cole opposes change in Indian contributions (The Oklahoman 2/19)
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Congress eyes reforms in wake of corruption scandal (AP 2/18)

Hans von Spakovsky Statement:
Tribal Political Contributions (February 8, 2006)

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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