Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), the chairman of the House Resources Committee, has received $71,000 in contributions from 15 tribes so far this year, The Sacramento Bee reports.

The contributions include $5,000 from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians of California, $2,000 from the Tule River Tribe of California, $5,000 from the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin and $5,000 from the Mashuntucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut.

Pombo became chairman of the committee, which has jurisdiction over Indian issues in 2004. Since then, he has numerous hearings on the Indian trust, gaming, federal recognition and land claims. Tribes praise him for his independence and support for sovereignty.

Get the Story:
Campaign funds flow to Pombo from tribes (The Sacramento Bee 7/14)
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Clarification: Pombo-Money story (AP 7/13)
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Relevant Links:
Rep. Richard Pombo - http://www.house.gov/pombo
House Resources Committee - http://resourcescommittee.house.gov

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