1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web97-793 GOVAugust 19, 1997Congressional Campaign Spending: 1976-1996Joseph E. CantorSpecialist in American National GovernmentGovernment DivisionSummaryHouse and Senate candidates spent a record $
2、765.3 million in 1996, up from $115.5million in 1976. Average House expenditures rose from $73,000 to $493,000, whileaverage Senate campaign costs went from $595,000 to $3.3 million. Among winners,the best measure of the cost of election to Congress, the 1996 House average was$680,000 and for the Se
3、nate, $3.8 million. Even controlled for inflation, spending levelsin all categories more than doubled from 1976-1996. This report presents data on costsof congressional campaigns, in both aggregate and (mean) average terms.The data in this report reflect spending by congressional candidates from fun
4、dsdonated by individuals, political action committees (PACs), parties, and candidates. Thus,it includes expenditures under candidate control and does not reflect spending on theirbehalf, with or without their cooperation, by parties, PACs, and other groups. Thisoutside spending has become an increas