Critics: Dems' Money Madness Would Boost Lobbyist Power

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February 16, 2007 1:17 PM

Watchdogs worry that increased fundraising pressures on Democratic lawmakers could make them more beholden to lobbyists and other special interests.

Charged with protecting and expanding the new Democratic majority in the House of Representatives, the lawmakers' umbrella campaign organization is mulling a boost in dues paid by its members of roughly $50,000, a spokeswoman confirmed to ABC News Friday.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) already requires most Democratic lawmakers to contribute between $50,000 and $600,000 a cycle, depending on their rank and power. The organization supports Democratic House campaigns around the country.  Last year, the group raised about $33 million from its members, according to "The New York Times."

"These members will be that much more tied down by the money chase -- taking time away from the job they were sent here to do," said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based watchdog group, the Center for Responsive Politics.

Fred Wertheimer of Democracy 21, another good-government group in the nation's capital, called the possible move "yet another example of the never-ending arms race for political money in Washington."

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DCCC spokeswoman Jennifer Crider stressed that the decision had not yet been made. "Dues for this cycle have not been finalized," she told ABC News.

The problem is simple, CRP's Krumholz explained: more pressure on lawmakers to raise money means they're more likely to depend on big donors -- lobbyists and other interested fundraisers -- to get them the cash. "The more the system relies on tapping big donors, those donors will hold more cards in their hand and wield more influence in Washington. That is without a doubt the case," she said.

According to "The Hill" newspaper, which first reported the possible dues increase, it's not just an effort to squeeze some extra money out of members but to shake loose money from lawmakers sitting on million-dollar war chests. A few members have plenty of cash and simply aren't paying up, the paper reported.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) -- the House GOP companion to the Dems' DCCC -- operates similarly, collecting dues from Republicans to support itself and GOP candidates around the country.  The group did not immediately respond to request for comment.