House passes campaign finance bill

WASHINGTON, April 6 (UPI) -- A campaign finance bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives is seen as benefiting the Republicans.

The Washington Post reported the measure, approved 218-209 Wednesday almost along party lines, would place strict caps on contributions to nonprofit committees that spent heavily in the last election. It would also remove limits on political parties' spending coordinated with candidates.

The first part would bar "527" committees from receiving what is called "soft money," which would hurt the Democrats who have in the past gotten most of such contributions to the 527s. Lifting party spending limits also will benefit Republicans as they traditionally have raise more money through this process, the Post report explained.

Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said the measure was designed to tilt campaign finance in favor of the Republicans. "You have allowed it (the House) to become an auction house," Emanuel was quoted as saying.

The New York Times said the bill would now go to the Senate where Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who wrote the 2002 campaign finance legislation, is offering a similar measure.