Sen. Vitter targets tribal campaign contributions

Thursday, January 4, 2007  

Sen. David Vitter (R-Louisiana) will target tribal campaign contributions during the 110th Congress, The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Vitter wants to impose limits on the amount tribes can contribute to campaigns. Currently, 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.

Tribes are not subject to a $101,400 biennial contribution limit that applies only to "individuals." Tribes, like other types of organizations, are not considered individuals.

Vitter was lobbied heavily by the National Association of Convenience Stores to support limits on tribal donations. But the issue failed to advance in the 109th Congress.

Get the Story:
State delegation unfazed by Capitol's new order (The New Orleans Times-Picayune 1/4)

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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