While members of Congress and federal candidates are known for soliciting millions of dollars from political action committees (PACs), there are a few instances when campaigns refund the money to PACs .  

Treasurers of corporate, trade association, and labor PACs are happy to get the money back, especially after they have already received credit for making the original contribution. Now they can use the money to give to another campaign.  

Retiring members of Congress are those most likely to have excess funds left over from campaigns, and in some cases, return the contributions to PACs.  

The Honeywell International PAC received contributions back from Rep. Rush Holt, D-N.J., $5,000; Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, $4,500; Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., $3,500; Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, $3,500; Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., $3,000; and Rep. Bill Owens, D-N.Y., $2,000.  

The Carpenters Legislative Improvement Committee received contributions back from Rep. Bill Owens, D-N.Y., $5,000; and Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., $5,000.  

The Boeing Company PAC received contributions back from Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-N.C. $7,000; Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, $4,000; and Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., $1,000.  

Retiring House members of Congress who returned contributions to PACs and other committees include: Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, $131,100; Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-N.C., $103,000; Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, $92,224; Rep. Jim Gerlach, R-Pa., $77,500; Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., $74,750; Rep. Bill Owens, D-N.Y., $74,000; Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., $57,500; Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., $46,500; Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., $28,950; Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y. $16,000; Rep. Rush Holt, D-N.J., $12,000; Rep. Gary Miller, R-Calif., $11,000; Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., $10,000; Rep. Jon Runyan, R-N.J., $5,000.  

Some retiring members of Congress have chosen to transfer excess campaign funds to their party’s national congressional campaign committee.  

For example, in the first quarter of 2014, the following House members, who have announced they are retiring at the end of this session, have transferred funds to the National Republican Congressional Committee: Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., $250,000; Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., $108,000; Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, $102,500; Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., $100,000; Rep. John Campbell, R-Calif., $75,000; and Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., $44,000.  

Retiring Democrats have also given excess funds in the first quarter of 21014 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, including Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., $100,000; Rep. Bill Owens, D-N.Y., $100,000; Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz., $20,000.  

Retiring members can also give excess funds to other campaigns. Rep. Jim Gerlach, R-Pa., gave out $165,000 to other candidates during the first quarter.