Winning control of the most sought-after committees in the House can come with a hefty price tag — in party dues.
The eight lawmakers atop the four panels dubbed “A” committees transferred more than $5.2 million from their own political accounts to their respective parties’ campaign arms in the 2022 cycle, according to a new report shared first with CQ Roll Call by Issue One, which advocates for overhauling campaign finance laws.
Although gavel races and committee assignments don’t merely come down to who raised the most political cash for the party, it can help members move up the hierarchies of the House if they spread campaign money generously, including to the party committees. Other factors in battles to chair top committees include seniority, especially for Democrats; policy expertise; and influence with leadership and the party rank and file.
