Special interests gave millions to budget panel members

WASHINGTON (AP) — An Associated Press analysis of federal campaign data finds special interests have given millions to the 12 lawmakers appointed to a new congressional supercommittee charged with tackling the nation’s fiscal problems.

Ohio Republican U.S. Senator Rob Portman is a member of a panel.

The six Democrats and six Republicans have received more than $3 million total during the past five years in donations from political committees with ties to defense contractors, health care providers and labor unions. They all have direct stakes in potential cuts to federal programs.

The advocacy group Common Cause says it’s vital that people have confidence that supercommittee members are thinking about the nation’s best interests, not special interests.