President Bush\ufffds re-election campaign will give the American Heart Association thousands of dollars in campaign contributions connected to lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the White House said Wednesday, as the government pushed a sweeping corruption investigation.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Wednesday that Abramoff, his wife and the tribal associates that he helped win influence on Capitol Hill donated thousands to the Bush-Cheney \ufffd04 campaign. Donations to charities has been the policy in similar situations in the past, McClellan said.

Abramoff raised at least $100,000 for President Bush\ufffds 2004 re-election effort, earning the honorary title \ufffdpioneer\ufffd from the campaign. Abramhoff also gave $5,000 to Bush\ufffds Florida recount effort in 2000.

McClellan said Bush does not know Abramoff personally, although it\ufffds possible that the two met at holiday receptions. Abramoff attended three Hanukkah receptions at the White House, the spokesman said.