House Democrats’ big fundraising haul comes with a huge caveat

House Democrats bragged about posting blockbuster fundraising hauls in the first quarter of this year. What they glossed over was how they got there.

A close read of FEC filings and interviews suggest that one way that Democrats stuffed their coffers was because of increases in membership dues and large transfers, including from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ leadership PAC.

Longtime Democratic incumbents in particular contributed to the party’s main campaign committee more this year. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) has nearly doubled his contribution to Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in the first quarter of this year, giving nearly $300,000, compared with the $150,000 he gave in the first quarter in 2021. The Democratic Whip, Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), also gave twice as much as last cycle’s first quarter with a $500,000 check. And senior New York Rep. Gregory Meeks tripled his DCCC contribution, giving $150,000 this cycle compared to $50,000 in 2021.