Ensign faults GOP colleagues

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- The leader of the Republican U.S. Senate campaign effort said Friday he will not be able to make good on a promise to match Democrats' spending this year.

Sen. John Ensign of Nevada, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, blamed his GOP colleagues for not contributing to the Republican effort so he could match Democrats "dollar for dollar," The Hill reported Friday.

"I recently challenged my colleagues to step up to the plate and help me provide the resources our candidates need to compete in races across the country -- to match the DSCC expenditures in targeted races," Ensign said in a statement. "It has become clear that my call has gone largely unanswered."

The Hill reported that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has a nearly 2-to-1 cash advantage, with $43 million to the Republicans' $24.6 million.