The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma authorized about $180,000 in political contributions, The Tulsa World reports.

The money will be split between Democrats and Republicans. Of the amount, $30,400 was spent so tribal leaders could attend a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee meeting on the island of Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts.

Tribal leaders also attended a meeting with President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. “The president was very respectful of our request, took notes and promised to further investigate the issue,” Chief Bill John Baker said in a press release.

Baker specifically discussed the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Salazar v. Ramah Navajo Chapter, a self-determination case. The tribe could be owed $50 million in unpaid contract support costs, according to the press release.

Get the Story:
Cherokee leaders meet with President Obama (The Tulsa World 7/20)

Supreme Court Decision:
Salazar v. Ramah Navajo Chapter (June 18, 2012)