WASHINGTON -
CUNA's political action committee-known as the CU Legislative Action Council-made its annual $15,000 contribution, the maximum allowable, to the main campaign arms of both the Democratic and Republican parties. So $15,000 checks went to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Democratic National Committee, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, National Republican Congressional Committee, National Republican Senatorial Committee and Republican National Committee, as well as the Republican Governors Association, a total of $105,000.
CUNA has become a reliable contributor to both parties, making the maximum allowable donations to each entity on an annual basis, more than $200,000 during each two-year election cycle.
In a nod to one of the most important lawmakers, from a credit union perspective, CUNA also contributed the maximum allowable $10,000 to New York Democrat Charles Rangel, new chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee and a longstanding supporter of the credit union tax exemption.
The CUNA PAC also made contributions last month to several leadership PACs, which congressional leaders use to fund campaign activities for themselves and their colleagues. Last month's contributions went to: CHC/BOLD PAC, the Committee for Hispanic Causes, a new leadership PAC ($5,000); the New Democratic Coalition PAC ($5,000); the Blue Dog PAC a committee for moderate Democrats ($5,000); the House Conservatives Fund ($5,000); and the New Republican Majority Fund ($5,000).
CUNA and its state leagues contributed almost $500,000 to leadership PACs in the last elections, helping key congressional allies prop up their personal campaigns and those of their friends.
Also receiving large contributions were: Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, new Senate Minority Leader ($5,000); and new Democrat Sen. Jon Tester of Montana ($5,000).
Other CUNA contributions last month went to: Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK), $5,000; Brad Miller (D-NC), $1,500; Devin Nunes (D-CA), $1,000; Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), $1,000; Joe Baca (D-CA), $1,000; Jim Marshall (R-GA), $1,000; David Scott (D-GA), $1,000; Elijah Cummings (D-MD), $1,000; and Patrick McHenry (R-NC) $1,000, as well as Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL). $5,000.
For the month of January-the kick-off for the 2007-2008 election season-CUNA's PAC raised $94,000 and made a total of $172,000 in contributions, leaving it with $317,000 cash on hand.
