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U.S. 'hard money' fundraising nears $700M
By UPI Staff
United Press International
August 1, 2006

WASHINGTON (UPI) -- The Democratic and Republic parties have raised $695 million in "hard money" in the last 18 months, the U.S. Federal Election Commission says.

The FEC totaled funds raised for national, state and local elections from Jan. 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006, and said Democratic committees were given $289.3 million while Republic committees took in $405.7 million.

Republicans boasted some $112.1 million in cash on hand and the Democrats have $89.9 million in cash to draw on. Both parties have debts of about $2 million, the FEC said.

The commission said individuals gave Democrats about 77 percent of their donations and Republics saw individuals donate about 89 percent of the GOP's fundraising.

The group with the largest percentage increase over the 2004 election cycle was the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, which was given about $73 million, a 48-percent increase. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee saw funds increase 37 percent to $76.6 million.

The only Republican committee to report an increase was the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which took in $62.6 million, about 24 percent higher than the 2004 cycle.

"Hard money" is given by individuals and political action committees and is subject to federal contribution limits.

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