Sen. David Vitter (R-Louisiana), who is fighting the land-into-trust application of the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, has agreed to sponsor a bill to impose limits on tribal political donations.

Vitter was persuaded by the National Association of Convenience Stores to back the measure, The Hill newspaper reported. NACS is lobbying heavily for limits on the total amount of contributions tribes can make to federal candidates and political action committees.

Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), the chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, and Sen. Trent Lott (R-Mississippi), the chairman of the Rules Committee, are opposed to any limits, a source told The Hill. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota) said he would fight the measure as well.

Under the Federal Election Campaign Act, tribes can contribute up to $2,100 per election to federal candidates, $5,000 per year to PACs, $10,000 per year to the federal account of state parties and $26,700 to national parties. But a tribe cannot make these contributions if it is classified as a corporation or a federal contractor, the prohibition that applies to other corporations and contractors.

The law also establishes a $101,400 limit on contributions "individuals" can make in a two-year period. But since tribes are not considered "individuals," they are not subject to this restriction -- and neither are certain entities such as political committees.

Get the Story:
Vitter signs on to bill limiting tribal giving (The Hill 3/9)

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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