The Nation - News from April 12, 1985

Political action committees provided a record 44% of the campaign funds raised last year by house members seeking reelection, a study by Common Cause found. House incumbents raised more than $133 million for their 1984 campaigns, the citizens’ lobby group said. The study found the PAC share of campaign contributions to House incumbents was 34% in 1980, 37% in 1982 and 44% in 1984. Common Cause President Fred Wertheimer said the group’s study shows that House members “are growing more and less and less free to respond to the needs of their constituents.”