Congress Tracker: Frequently Asked Questions

By U.S. News Staff

May 12, 2010 RSS Feed Print

Where does the data come from?
Campaign financing reports are filed with the Federal Elections Commission by candidate committees and compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics a non-profit research group that tracks money in the U.S. political system and the impact it has on elections and public policy.

Who and what does the database track?
The database tracks all current members of the U.S. House Representatives and U.S. Senate and the industries, organizations, and companies that give money to their campaign committees.

Who can contribute to a federal campaign?
Individual U.S. citizens and green card holders (foreigners legally residing permanently in the United States) may contribute to federal campaign committees. Political Action Committees may also contribute. Corporations and labor unions are prohibited from making federal campaign contributions.

Are there limits on how much individuals and Political Action Committees can contribute to federal candidates?
Individuals may give up to $2,400 to a candidate per election, for a total of $4,800 for the primary and general elections. Overall, individuals may not contribute more than $45,600 to federal political candidates in a two year election cycle. These individual limits are updated for inflation every two years. PACs may give up to $5,000 to a candidate per election, for a total of $10,000 for the primary and general elections.

How often is the database updated?
The database is updated after each filing period. It is current as of the last filing deadline.

What are the FEC requirements for reporting campaign fundraising?
The FEC requires that all campaigns that raise or spend at least $5,000 report their earnings and expenditures to the commission quarterly or monthly. Click here to see all FEC filing dates.

Why can't I find a candidate running for office?
The database tracks only current members of Congress.

What's the difference between receipts, money spent, and cash on hand?
Receipts means the amount of money the campaign has raised; money spent shows campaign expenditures; cash on hand means how much that campaign currently has left to spend.

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Front-Part-Page Women Issue Rights;

In the title 'Women Issue' so far it has not been mentioned or being spoken about the Women Rights Issuances. I have to tell especially that I as working in the past for USAF Air Base at Frankfurt West Germany in 1974-75. Where I was thrown out of my job for protective of Two USAF American Officers Ladies, whom were at Night Stay almost got attacked and followed from their room to the reception. I at the reception had called MP by raising alarm alert since these ladies were at the verge of Rape Attempt flee from a GI-USAY(Army)Soldier. Instead of appreciative of my timely response quite adverse I was asked to hold Two-Apart STATEMENTS. I was asked that I may mention that the GI who earlier was abusive at Reception Counter to USAF. This IG used dirty language against me since I told him that I was serving the USAF and regulations were that he had to show me the Travel Documents. This IG abused me and also the USAF as an Institute. When I later in the same night saw this GI chasing these Two-USAF-Officer-Ladies upon whose request of Shouting for Help I called the MP. I got reminded of this IG earlier frustrated and abusive behavior and had informed the MP as well. I was asked not to mention these Two Incidents on One Statement while I thought it was important to mention the whole situation on One Statement.

Mr.F.Koch 8:54PM November 29, 2010

Front-Starting-Page Women Issue Rights;

In the title 'Women Issue' so far it has not been mentioned or being spoken about the Women Rights Issuances. I have to tell especially that I as working in the past for USAF Air Base at Frankfurt West Germany in 1974-75. Where I was thrown out of my job for protective of Two USAF American Officers Ladies, whom were at Night Stay almost got attacked and followed from their room to the reception. I at the reception had called MP by raising alarm alert since these ladies were at the verge of Rape Attempt flee from a GI-USAY(Army)Soldier. Instead of appreciative of my timely response quite adverse I was asked to hold Two-Apart STATEMENTS. I was asked that I may mention that the GI who earlier was abusive at Reception Counter to USAF. This IG used dirty language against me since I told him that I was serving the USAF and regulations were that he had to show me the Travel Documents. This IG abused me and also the USAF as an Institute. When I later in the same night saw this GI chasing these Two-USAF-Officer-Ladies upon whose request of Shouting for Help I called the MP. I got reminded of this IG earlier frustrated and abusive behavior and had informed the MP as well. I was asked not to mention these Two Incidents on One Statement while I thought it was important to mention the whole situation on One Statement.

Mr.F.Koch 8:48PM November 29, 2010

First-Part Women Issue Rights;

Later I was told that I would be kicked out of the job and mentally I was tortured under the pressure and I could not sleep and became sick and being only 22 could not take such a pressure. When I saw the doctor and got some rest instructions USAF called me and asked me to send my Medical Receipt of the doctor which I had Handed-Over to an Indian whom was also working for USAF and he later related my Medical Receipt with a Pakistani Punjabi Woman Mrs.Zaman at USAF (while Punjabi are known to be UNTRUEFUL to people, whom they serve, they betrayed and to such a Folks as Punjabi of Pakistan ONLY serve the Mammon) See in google; In the meantime Mammon is a term, derived from the Christian Bible, used to describe ... who worship mammon' are equivalent to greedy people who value money too highly. ... Catholic Encyclopedia: Mammon. Jewish Encyclopedia: Mamon, Encyclopædia Britannica: Mammon, "Mamona" (sometimes "Mamuna") is a synonym for Mammon in Slavic countries. Currently, the word "mamona" is used figuratively and derogatorily in the Polish language as a synonym to money. This, however, has biblical origins; see above. The word "mammona" is quite often used in the Finnish language as a synonym to money. In Spanish culture,where Mammon is not so well known, the image used to criticize the love of wealth is the golden calf,[8] idolized by the Israelites against the will of God. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can not serve both God and Mammon.

Mr.F.Koch 8:46PM November 29, 2010

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