SEN. DON NICKLES (R-OK)

• In May 1989, a Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs accused Koch Industries (based in Wichita, KS) of stealing millions of dollars worth of oil from Indian-owned wells. The findings were turned over to Justice which, in turn, began a formal probe. By March 1992, Justice terminated their probe, much to the dismay of the Senate Select Committee and attorneys for those Indians involved.

According to a May 16, 1992 article in The National Journal, Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS) and Sen. Don Nickles (R-OK) intervened on behalf of Koch industries.

POLITICAL MONEY NOTES: Sen. Nickles has accepted $16,403 in campaign contributions from Koch Industries and their lobbyists since 1991. Specifically: $8,000 from Koch's PAC; $8,403 from Akin, Gump, Hauer and Feld.

Three Senators on the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs who initiated the investigation included: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Dennis De Concini (D-AZ), and Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD). None of these three received any reported contributions from Koch Industries or their lobbyists.

POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST NOTES: Sen. Nickles owns a substantial interest ($250,000 - $500,000) in his family's firm: Nickles Machine Corp. The firm is based in Ponca City, OK (just down the road (I35) from Wichita (HQ to Koch Industries)), and manufactures OIL FIELD MACHINERY.

NOTES: Sen. Nickles is # 6 on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

• On June 29, 1990, Sen. Nickles purchased between 15,000 and 50,000 dollars worth of bonds (6.6% 1999) in Grand River Dam Authority. GRDA is a state-owned electric power company serving the eastern half of Oklahoma.

On the same day (June 29, 1990), Special Master Philip W. Tone issued recommendations to the U.S. Supreme Court concerning Wyoming v. Oklahoma. The state of Wyoming challenged an Oklahoma law requiring Oklahoma utilities to use Oklahoma coals to generate ten percent of their electricity. The challenge was before the U.S. Supreme Court. Special Master Tone recommended that the law be declared unconstitutional.

GRDA was not a supporter of the "Buy-Oklahoma-Coal" law--Wyoming coals were less expensive!

On January 22, 1992, the U.S. Supreme Court declared the Buy-Oklahoma-Coal law unconstitutional.

On January 28, 1992, The Bond Buyer (a crucial publication for bond traders) reported the Supreme Court ruling and said it had "...potentially widespread ramifications...."

Sen. Nickles sold and then repurchased his Grand River Dam bonds on April 9, 1991.

NOTES: Sen. Nickles is # 4 on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development; he is # 5 on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; he is # 3 on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy Research and Development; he is # 3 on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Mineral Resources Development and Production; he is # 1 on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Competitiveness.

• On August 23, 1990, Sen. Nickles purchased between 1,000 and 15,000 dollars worth of stock in General Electric.

During this time, the Senate was finishing work on S. 2884: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT (Introduced July 20, 1990; H.R. 4739 was passed in the Senate in lieu of S. 2884). General Electric was of course concerned about another round of defense cut-backs.

POLITICAL MONEY NOTES: Since 1991, Sen. Nickles has accepted $8,950 dollars from General Electric's PAC.

NOTES: Sen. Nickles is # 6 on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

• On March 23, 1993, Sen. Nickles purchased $3,785 worth of stock in Genentech, and $3,894 worth of stock in Genetics Institute. Both firms use recombinant DNA technology to develop pharmaceuticals.

At the time of his purchase, Congress was actively debating S. 1: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH REVITALIZATION ACT OF 1993 (Introduced on January 21, 1993; Became P.L. 103-43). Of course, NIH is very important to biotech and pharmaceutical firms (check clinical testing approvals).

VOTE NOTES: Sen. Nickles voted AYE on S. 1.

INVESTMENT NOTES: By December 31, 1993, Sen. Nickles' investments in Genentech and Genetics Institute appreciated 53.3 percent in value.

• On February 16, 1995, Sen. Nickles introduced a bill that, if passed, would appear to enhance his own personal wealth. The bill was S. 451 (Referred to his Senate Finance Committee). According to an article in the BNA Washington Insider (February 17, 1995), S. 451 provides a package of tax incentives to encourage domestic oil and gas production.

POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST NOTES: As of December 31, 1993, Sen. Nickles owns an interest in his family's firm (Nickles Machine Corp.) ranging between $250,000 and $500,000. Nickles Machine Corp. manufacturers oil field machinery. In addition, Sen. Nickles notes in his 1993 Financial Disclosure Report energy and natural resources stock holdings that total $19,789.

RELATED LEGISLATION NOTES: Sen. Nickles is currently a cosponsor of another bill designed to encourage domestic oil and gas production through tax incentives. This bill is S. 447, and was introduced by his colleague from Oklahoma (Sen. James Inhofe).

NOTES: Sen. Nickles is # 11 on the Senate Finance Committee.