Since assuming the chairmanship of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee a year ago, Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) has held six hearings on gaming, three hearings on Jack Abramoff, one hearing on tribal political donations and one hearing on an off-reservation casino in California.

The focus on lobbying and gaming has some in Washington worried about McCain's focus. Although all but one of the sources in the Roll Call article linked below are not identified, they say there are other issues the committee should approach, such as education, health care and housing.

Jackie Johnson, the executive director of the National Congress of American Indians, is the only source identified by name. She doesn't outright criticized McCain but says some in Indian Country feel there hasn't been "fair play" in the hearing process.

In the coming month, McCain is holding hearings on the fiscal year 2007 budget, Indian gaming and the Cobell v. Norton trust fund lawsuit.

Get the Story:
Indians Fault McCain Panel (Roll Call 2/14)

Relevant Links:
Senate Indian Affairs Committee - http://indian.senate.gov

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