House fundraising arms increase the pressure for donations from members

To feed their insatiable appetite for cash, the two parties’ House campaign committees are turning to their own members to fill their coffers.

And as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has far outpaced its GOP rival in fundraising, so too have Democratic members given far more to the effort than their Republican counterparts.

In total, Democrats have transferred $4.87 million from their campaign accounts to the DCCC, with 19 members forking over more than $100,000. By comparison, Republican members of Congress have given the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) just $477,000, with no member topping the six-figure mark.

Both parties caution that member dues can be paid throughout the year, and those with experience raising money for committees say it is still early.

Member dues are assigned based on seniority, committee and leadership positions and, in some cases, electoral circumstances. Democrats who are a part of the Frontline Program for vulnerable incumbents, for example, are given a pass on DCCC dues.

Coaxing donations out of members is more art than science, according to those who have been involved in past cycles.

“The key, in the end, is first appealing to the team, that number one you’ve got colleagues at risk and number two your fate is collective as well as individual,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), who chaired the NRCC in the 2008 cycle. “Politics is a team sport.”

Part of the trick can even involve threats of embarrassment. For two decades, the DCCC has, on an occasional basis, circulated a list of members who have not paid their dues. “That was helpful,” laughed ex-Rep. Martin Frost (D-Texas), who headed the committee for two cycles in the 1990s.

The 2009-2010 list, obtained by The Hill, shows House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will be asked to contribute $800,000 and raise an additional $25 million. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) owe $800,000 and have to raise an additional $2.5 million each, while others in Democratic leadership will pay $450,000 in dues and raise $500,000 each.

Chairmen of the five exclusive committees will owe $500,000 and have to raise $1 million more, while subcommittee chairmen have $250,000 in dues and $250,000 to raise. Exclusive committee members have to pay out $200,000 and raise $250,000.

The rank-and-file member who serves on no special committee and doesn’t hold the chairmanship of a subcommittee will owe $125,000 and have to raise $75,000 for the DCCC.

All eight members of the Democratic leadership team have contributed a portion of their dues, while a little more than a third of the entire caucus has made contributions.

The pressure on members comes as campaigns become more expensive. Last cycle, the DCCC shelled out $176.5 million while the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spent a total of $118.2 million.

“In recent years, [member dues have] been a much larger source of income than [they were] when I was chairman,” Frost said. “People in top leadership positions and committee chairs have a real reason to give, and they have the ability to raise the money.”

DCCC communications director Jennifer Crider said one-third of the committee’s funding would come from member dues and fundraisers.

Committee chairmen have been a lucrative source of campaign cash as well, with 18 of the 22 chairmen having paid all or some of their dues. Only Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), Administration Committee Chairman Robert Brady (D-Pa.), Oversight Committee Chairman Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) and Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) have not made contributions this year.

Republicans have been less generous with their cash this year. House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) is the only member of leadership to have given to the NRCC — $51,780 — and just two of the party’s ranking members, Transportation Committee ranking member Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) and Judiciary Committee ranking member Lamar Smith (R-Texas), have made contributions.

Republicans warn not to read too much into the early lack of direct transfers. The party brags that all but eight of its members participated in fundraising activities surrounding the committee’s March 24 fundraising gala that featured Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R).

Members pledged to raise a certain amount for the dinner and also participated in a national call day that the NRCC says raised $1 million.

And just because they haven’t contributed directly doesn’t mean they are totally inactive. House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) hasn’t transferred money directly, but he has held six events for the NRCC and nearly 30 for individual candidates.

“A lot of members that you’ll never see a transfer from are some of your most successful fundraisers,” Cole added.

The GOP also encouraged members to donate to Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R), who trails in an ongoing recount in the race to fill Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s (D-N.Y.) former House seat. Republican congressmen donated more than $100,000 from their campaign accounts to Tedisco’s campaign.

member dues? later called 'coaxed donations' or more properly 'coercion' if you read this right.

A Union of Socialists masquerading as politicians?

Herd mentality practicing pragmatic politics?

“Politics is a team sport.”

Game Over.

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