Vern Buchanan’s money to House GOP campaign arm dries up after losing chairmanship race
Reese Gorman
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EXCLUSIVE — Fundraising numbers from the National Republican Congressional Committee show Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), who lost a race to be chairman of a prestigious committee, has not sent any money to the campaign arm for House Republicans after sending millions last cycle.
While vying for the gavel on the powerful Ways and Means Committee last cycle, Buchanan transferred more than $3 million to the NRCC, the Washington Examiner previously reported. But this year, after losing out on the gavel, Buchanan has yet to send or raise any money for the House GOP campaign arm, according to NRCC fundraising numbers reviewed by the Washington Examiner.
RACE HEATS UP FOR TOP GOP POST ON POWERFUL WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Earlier this year, when the Steering Committee met to decide chairmanships of committees, Buchanan was passed over for the top spot on the Ways and Means Committee, which is responsible for tax writing.
Buchanan was the most senior member on the committee and, over his tenure, had been chairman or ranking member of five of the six ways and means subcommittees.
The Florida Republican was competing for the gavel with Reps. Jason Smith (R-MO) and Adrian Smith (R-NE). Last cycle, while in that battle, Buchanan transferred more than $4 million to the NRCC, he told the Washington Examiner. The Washington Examiner previously reported that regarding his opponents for the gavel, Jason Smith sent over $2 million to the NRCC, and Adrian Smith opted to give over $1 million directly to candidates and committees rather than routing that money through the NRCC.
And, while making campaign contributions to fellow Republicans and transferring funds to the NRCC doesn’t ensure a gavel, it does help a candidate be taken more seriously and is a factor the Steering Committee considers when divvying out committee assignments and chairmanships.
Now, after being passed over for the gavel, Buchanan, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, has yet to raise any money for the NRCC this cycle. He currently serves as chairman of the ways and means subcommittee on health.
Buchanan said while he was “disappointed” he didn’t get the ways and means gavel, that doesn’t have anything to do with why he hasn’t sent any money to the NRCC this cycle and that he plans on sending money over eventually.
“Look, my target last year was $600,000, and I hit $4 million to the NRCC,” Buchanan said. “That’s 700%. I don’t think anybody has ever done that. Yeah, I was disappointed, but you know they got their reasons or whatever.”
The NRCC uses its funds to help elect Republicans to the House and supports incumbent House members.
A spokesperson for the NRCC declined to comment.
After being passed over for the chairmanship, Puck News reported that Buchanan expressed his displeasure to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
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Punchbowl News reported that if Buchanan didn’t get the ways and means gavel, he would consider retiring from Congress. Buchanan, who has been in Congress since 2007, told Florida Politics that the “notion that I would consider resigning is laughable and ridiculous.”
Last quarter, Buchanan raised $312,919 and has $1.5 million on hand, according to Federal Election Commission records.