Old Softies In Congress?

Some of the most generous campaign contributors to the Democratic and Republican parties last year will be watching their issues come before Congress this year.

Pfizer, a pharmaceutical company, gave $412,446 in unregulated soft money last year as President Clinton asked Congress to provide a prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. The trial lawyer firm of Ness Motley Loadholt Richardson & Poole gave $420,200 as Congress prepared to debate whether to place limits on liability lawsuits. The National Rifle Association contributed $478,100 as federal lawmakers discussed whether to impose waiting periods for purchasers at gun shows.

"Soft money is an instrument of influence," said Larry Makinson, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, a research group that studies money and campaigns. "There is no time like when your bill is coming before Congress to maximize your influence. Both sides understand that game very well."

Soft money refers to corporate, union and individual contributions that are not subject to federal contribution limits and are supposed to be used for party-building activities such as get-out-the-vote drives. Both parties are using an increasing amount of their soft money for issue advertisements, designed to generate support for a particular candidate without specifically urging a vote for or against the person.

According to a study by Common Cause, an advocacy group that supports overhauling the campaign finance system, Pfizer, Ness Motley and the NRA were among the biggest givers of soft money to the political parties last year.

AT&T contributed $1.3 million more than any other company dividing its donations between the parties. The long-distance and cable giant gave $555,350 to the Democrats and $761,908 to the GOP. The company was one of 32 firms or individuals that made six-figure donations to both political parties.

AT&T has opposed efforts to open their cable lines to competing Internet providers, and has fought requests by the Bell operating companies to offer long-distance telephone service.

Microsoft Corp. gave $798,163, with $351,250 going to Democrats and $446,913 going to Republicans. The high-technology industry is backing legislation to expand the number of H-1B visas, which allow foreign graduates of U.S. colleges to stay in the country and work.

By Jonathan D. Salant