In a sign that the 2010 money race is heating up, the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee earlier this month set up a joint fundraising committee which will allow each group to benefit from the other’s donor base as well as inject money into key House races, NRCC spokesman Paul Lindsay confirmed to TPMmuckraker.
NRCC Deputy Finance Director Jenny Sheffield Drucker describes the advantages of the committee, called Congressional Trust 2010, in an April 23 email to prospective donors obtained by TPMmuckraker: “It allows the RNC and the NRCC to fund such activities as direct contributions and coordinated expenditures for Republican House candidates in targeted races across the country.”
Drucker also notes that “[Political Action Committees] who have not maxed to the NRCC ($15,000) or RNC ($15,000), up to $30,000” can give to Congressional Trust 2010, adding that “if a PAC has already maxed to the NRCC, they can still write a check for up to $15,000 to the Congressional Trust 2010, that will be allocated to the RNC.”
Congressional Trust 2010 is holding a fundraiser — with a four pack of tickets going for as much as a $30,000 PAC contribution — at the Bullpen festival park in Washington before the Congressional Baseball Game in late June. Located across from the Washington Nationals Stadium, the Bullpen offers live music, “interactive sports games for children sponsored by Headfirst Sports” and “a beer garden for adults sponsored by Bud Light.”
Below is the full email from Drucker. Special thanks to TPM Reader DM.
Subj: Congressional Trust PAC Reception at Bullpen!!!
As you may have heard, the NRCC and the RNC have created a Joint Fundraising Committee, the Congressional Trust 2010 Committee. This committee has been established to help House races across the country this November.
Below are a few additional FAQ’s regarding this important program:
What is the Congressional Trust?
The “Congressional Trust 2010” is a joint committee of the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee, created to take advantage of the many donors who are maxed to the RNC but not the NRCC, and vice-versa. It was formed at the direction of RNC Chairman Michael Steele, NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions and Republican Leader John Boehner. It allows the RNC and the NRCC to fund such activities as direct contributions and coordinated expenditures for Republican House candidates in targeted races across the country.
Who can give to the Congressional Trust?
· PACs who have not maxed to the NRCC ($15,000) or RNC ($15,000), up to $30,000
· So, if a PAC has already maxed to the NRCC, they can still write a check for up to $15,000 to the Congressional Trust 2010, that will be allocated to the RNC. Furthermore, that PAC would also receive the benefits of a Majority Fund Membership with the RNC.
We will be holding a reception prior to the Congressional Baseball game on June 29th, 2010 at Bullpen near Nationals Stadium for those PACs who contribute to this program. Please see the attached invitation with more details. We hope that you will join us!
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Jenny Sheffield Drucker
Deputy Finance Director
National Republican Congressional Committee
