Lagging in fundraising, the Democratic National Committee has lifted its ban on donations from political action committees and lobbyists for its convention fundraising and for the accounts it shares with presidential campaigns.
Both limitations were put in place by Barack Obama, who was seeking to change the influence of money in Washington. But the DNC’s decision shows it’s moving on from its incumbent to its next nominee.
“These changes restore the fundraising policies in effect at the DNC in most prior cycles for its joint fundraising and convention activities,” DNC spokeswoman Holly Shulman said.
Obama will continue to decline to raise funds for the DNC from lobbyists or PACs for any of the committee's activities or programs.
Shulman said the DNC will continue its policy of not accepting donations from PACS and lobbyists for its general fundraising operations at this time. She said the DNC will continue to review and update its policies looking ahead to 2016.
Hillary Clinton, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, has expressed concern about Republican fundraising efforts. Clinton and the campaigns of two of her rivals, Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley, did not immediately respond to questions about the change.
The RNC, which does accept lobbyist and PAC money, has far outraised the DNC this year, according to the Federal Elections Commission. It has more cash on hand and less debt.