Senator John McCain, chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, said on Wednesday that he plans to consider whether Indian casino gaming tribes should be subject to restrictions on their political giving.
Indian casino gaming tribes have, in the past decade or so, emerged as a powerful force in the campaign finance game, buying, some say, a considerable amount of influence with lawmakers. Casino gaming tribes game $7.2 million in donations to political campaigns on the local, state, and federal level during the 2004 cycle of elections.
Since the Indian nations are sovereign entities under U.S. law, they are not subject to the regulations that corporations must follow in regards to campaign finance. Instead of forming Political Action Committees with strict governing rules, as regular corporations that want to donate to political campaigns are required to do, Indian nations may give as they please.
However, many say that this unlimited giving gives the Indian casino gaming tribes undue influence, especially on Congressional members.
“Indian tribes have become a political force, and they have to be looked at that way with regard to political contributions,” said Larry Noble, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics.
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