Arizona Congressman raising money from Indian gaming interest for PAC

Monday, July 31, 2000 | 8:03 a.m.

Most of that cash reportedly is being funneled to Republican House and Senate candidates who might not know much of the money comes from gaming interests.

Larry Makinson, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, compares the situation to attempts by the tobacco industry to camouflage campaign contributions by donating through subsidiaries.

Hayworth downplays the gaming ties, pointing out that Indian nations have many economic interests besides gambling.

"For better or worse, when Congress passed the Indian Gaming Act in 1986, that offered another avenue that perhaps I would not advocate for economic opportunity. Yet it is what is part and parcel of a free people," Hayworth said. "I think across Indian country as tribes move toward economic empowerment, what we're finding is a commonality of interests: lower taxes, more jobs, more opportunity and no taxation in tribally owned enterprises.

"It just so happens that one out of every four of my constituents is Native American. I take a look at the big picture. And yes, to a certain degree it does involve economic enterprises that involve gaming. But that's not the totality of the picture."