Retiring House Members Hold $10 Million in Accounts

By Kent Cooper

Posted February 5, 2014 at 2:53pm

Seventeen members of the House of Representatives, who have announced their retirement at the end of this Congress, are holding a total of over$10 million in campaign and leadership PAC accounts as of the end of the year.

Campaign committees may use the funds for any lawful purpose, but the funds can’t be converted to personal use. Some members donate funds to non-profits, charities, educational institutions, political parties, other candidates (within limits), or refund contributions to the original donors. Or they could leave the funds in the campaign account, and keep it going to years.

Leadership PACs of members of Congress are not restricted as much as campaign committees. There is no prohibition on the use of leadership PAC funds for personal use. The Federal Election Commission has recommended that the prohibition of the personal use of campaign funds be extended to apply to all political committees, including leadership PACs.

View earlier posting with examples of members handling of leftover funds.

Those retiring at the end of this Congress include:

Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., campaign cash $1,791,236 with debts of $138,494 (includes presidential campaign).; PAC cash $74,554 with debts of $6,559.

Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, campaign cash $854,740; PAC cash $48,239.

Rep. Jim Gerlach, R-Pa., campaign cash $851,793; PAC cash $12,427.

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., campaign cash $757,270; PAC cash $82,937.

Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, campaign cash $743,117; PAC cash $76,400.

Rep. James Moran, D-Va., campaign cash $710,036; PAC cash $72,271.

Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-N.C. campaign cash $633,022; PAC cash $26,585.

Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Calif., campaign cash $606,298; PAC cash 47,189.

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., campaign cash $649,440; PAC cash $1,830.

Rep. Bill Owens, D-N.Y., campaign cash $547,489; PAC cash $21,077.

Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., campaign cash $379,540; PAC cash $72,541.

Rep. John Campbell, R-Calif., campaign cash $369,212; PAC cash $10,481.

Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., campaign cash $265,214, no PAC.

Rep. Tim Griffin, R-Ark., campaign cash $243,294; PAC cash $1,433.

Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Ala., campaign cash $109,250; PAC cash $37,110.

Rep. John Coble, R-N.C., campaign cash $28,528; PAC cash $4,650.

Rep. John Runyan, R-N.J., campaign cash $71,737 with debts of $100,000; no PAC.

In addition to the more than $10 million held by members retiring at the end of this Congress, another member is resigning sooner. Rep. Robert Andrews, D-N.J., has campaign cash of $567,375; and PAC cash $119,727.

In addition, five members of this Congress have already resigned, but still have accounts:

Mel Watt, D-N.C., campaign cash $60,932; PAC cash $19,142.

Trey Radel, R-Fla., campaign cash $263,683 with debts of $206,000; PAC cash $17,121.

Rodney Alexander, R-La., campaign $23,764; PAC cash $10,685.

Jo Bonner, R-Ala., campaign cash $16,826; no PAC.

Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., campaign cash $199 (9/30); PAC cash $10,199

In addition, one member has died, but his committee and PAC have cash:

C.W. Bill Young, R-Fla., campaign cash $134,152; PAC cash $31,078.