Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) told his GOP colleagues Wednesday that he was transferring $1 million in personal campaign funds to the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Republican Senators are often reluctant to hand over campaign cash to the NRSC, making McCain’s contribution both significant and timely. The NRSC is targeting more than 10 seats this cycle, and the GOP would need to pick up just that many to take back the majority.
“It’s very encouraging to see Sen. McCain step up and do this,” NRSC Chairman John Cornyn (Texas) said. “Republicans have historically not done this like Democrats have, and that has been a real competitive advantage that they have had.”
McCain and Cornyn announced the transfer during Wednesday’s weekly Republican Conference lunch. McCain is up for re-election this year, but he appears safe after winning a competitive primary over former Rep. J.D. Hayworth.
Democratic Senators have continued to transfer personal campaign funds to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee despite a difficult political environment. Senate Democratic Conference Vice Chairman Charles Schumer (N.Y.), who is up for re-election but isn’t vulnerable this cycle, recently transferred $2 million to the DSCC.
Lois Lerner, director of exempt organizations for the IRS, arrives for a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the investigation of the IRS' targeting of political groups. Lerner invoked her Fifth Amendment right to not testify and caused a protest from some committee members when she offered an opening statement and engaged in dialogue with members before invoking the right.
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