The Nation - News from Dec. 1, 1985

Special interests poured a record $113 million into 1983-84 elections, with most of it going to incumbent members of Congress, the Federal Election Commission reported. Senate and House members seeking reelection received $80.6 million, or 70% of all the money contributed by political action committees. By comparison, challengers received only 16%, and candidates in open-seat elections got 11%. Legislation scheduled for a Senate vote this week would set a $100,000 limit on PAC contributions to House candidates and limits ranging from $175,000 to $750,000 to Senate candidates, based on the size of their state.