Tribal Lobbying Is Booming After Abramoff Scandal
Federal lobbying by Indian gaming enterprises is booming, despite the Jack Abramoff scandal that sparked an overhaul of federal lobbying laws. Lobbyists say this scandal was a blip on the radar for tribal clients and that business is booming.
"Since the beginning of this country, tribes have had resources that outsiders wanted to take, with or without fair compensation — usually without," said attorney Philip Baker-Shenk. "Tribes have had to use the rule of law, moral persuasion and alliances to protect their own sphere of influence."