Bush concerned about tribal 'loophole'
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2002
President Bush on Wednesday expressed concern tribes would be able to exploit a "loophole" in the campaign finance reform bill currently stalled in the Senate, the Associated Press reports.
Bush asked lawmakers in a meeting whether tribes would be able to circumvent soft money limits. A senior White House official said the lawmakers told Bush they would look into it, the AP reports.
Current law limits tribes to a $1,000 donation per candidate per election cycle. Tribes, like organizations, are not subject to a $25,000 yearly contribution limit to candidates and political parties, which some -- including anti-sovereignty groups -- have characterized as the "loophole."
Debate on campaign finance returned to the Senate after the House passed its own version of the measure. Quick action has been promised by Democrat leaders but efforts to clear the bill stalled yesterday.
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