Lawmakers Take Different Tacks On Abramoff Funds
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While dozens of lawmakers are dumping contributions from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his clients, some, including the Senate Democratic leader, Harry Reid, smell no taint and plan to keep the money, while others like Rep. Charles Rangel are splitting the difference.
As recently as Wednesday, Mr. Rangel refused to return any of the money he received from Abramoff linked clients or firms. Yesterday, his spokesman said the congressman would give up $2,000 from a law firm where Abramoff once worked – donating it to the Boys Choir of Harlem – but would keep the rest, some $47,000.
“He has no problems with his contributions from Native American tribes and he’s not returning any of that,” a spokesman for Mr. Rangel, Emile Milne, said. “It would be ridiculous for us to assume that these tribes would be forced or directed by Abramoff to help Congressman Rangel.”
Senator Clinton, a fellow New York Democrat, is taking the opposite tack, donating $2,000 received from tribes Abramoff had worked with but deciding to keep contributions from lawyers at his firm. “I suspect most members don’t know the right answer and they’re just forced to make a judgment now in a very fluid situation,” the government’s former chief election lawyer, Larry Noble, said. He now runs the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, which studies fund raising.
Rep. J.D. Hayworth, a Republican of Arizona, co-chairman of the Congressional Native American Caucus, has received more than $150,000 from Indian tribes once represented by Abramoff, donations he has said he will keep because they were given independently of Abramoff’s influence. He donated to charity $2,250 he got from Abramoff.
Others who plan to keep Abramoff related money include Senator Murray, a Democrat of Washington, with $41,000; Rep. Patrick Kennedy, a Democrat of Rhode Island, with $42,500, and Senator Cantwell, a Democrat of Washington, with $10,000.
Some lawmakers are keeping quiet for now. Senator Specter, a Republican of Pennsylvania, has not said if he intends to keep $6,000 from Abramoff, his wife, and a tribe.
