Republicans look to limit 527 groups

WASHINGTON, March 16 (UPI) -- Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have proposed new rules that would limit the way some independent groups can raise political funds.

As part of lobby reform legislation, Republicans want to make the so-called 527 groups -- which are not affiliated directly with a political party -- follow U.S. campaign finance laws, which would restrict giving to $30,000 a year from any individual, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

The Post noted that 527 organizations that favored Democrats in the 2004 election cycle were given a total of $51 million by George Soros and Peter Lewis. Those groups raised some $265 million in 2004, about twice what Republican-leaning 527s raised, the newspaper said.

Others points in the House lobby bill would have legislators disclose "earmark" set-asides for special projects and temporarily halt privately paid travel, The Post reported.