Norquist will not testify at McCain's tribe hearing

[Robbien]

. . .

Norquist has come under fire in recent months for his dealings with former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and the Indian tribes Abramoff represented. ATR received nearly $1.5 million from Indian tribes in recent years, a sizable portion of which was funneled to two anti-gambling groups to battle efforts by an Alabama Indian tribe to expand its gaming operations. The expansion could have impinged on the revenues of a neighboring tribe, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, which was a longtime client of Abramoff, The Boston Globe reported last month.

Norquist also led an effort in 1999 to kill a proposed tax on Indian gaming revenues and he helped set up annual meetings between tribal leaders and the President.

. . .

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) wrote to Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) on May 31 to raise concern about the request.

“To subpoena such information could chill current or prospective donors and supporters, and threaten First Amendment freedoms of speech and association,” wrote ACLU Acting Director Greg Nojeim and Legislative Counsel Marvin Johnson. “In addition to the impact this subpoena has on the recipient, its existence sends to all other non-profit organizations the chilling message that they, too, may be subjected to this kind of oppressive government investigation if they have the temerity to take an active role in debating public issues.”

. . .


Although Norquist will not be testifying, the June 22 hearing will reportedly focus on him and ATR as well as another conservative figure, Ralph Reed, former head of the Christian Coalition.

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/061405/norquist.html