National Republican Congressional Committee#Young Guns Program

The NRCC is always chaired by a Republican member of the House, who may serve up to two consecutive terms. It is governed by an executive committee of 11 members, which includes the party's leader in the House ex officio, and other members elected by the Republican Conference following a House election.

The chairman is elected by the House Republican Conference after each congressional election. The eight elected leaders of the Republican Conference of the House of Representatives serve as ex officio members of the NRCC's executive committee.

The day-to-day operations of the NRCC are overseen by the executive director, who manages a staff involved in campaign strategy development, planning and management, research, digital, communications, fundraising, administration, and legal compliance.

In addition to the chairman, several other members of the House of Representatives aid the efforts of the committee by overseeing various areas important to the NRCC.{{Cite news |date=2012-11-27 |title=Incoming NRCC Chairman Greg Walden Announces Lynn Westmoreland as Deputy Chairman |url=https://nrcc.org/2012/11/27/incoming-nrcc-chairman-greg-walden-announces-lynn-westmoreland-as-deputy-chairman/ |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=NRCC |language=en-US}}

The NRCC is broken down into several internal divisions:

Executive,

Treasury,

Research,

Political,

Finance,

Communications, and

Digital.About the nrcc. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nrcc.org/about/About-NRCC/

Founded in the 2007–2008 election cycle by congressmen Eric Cantor, Kevin McCarthy and Paul Ryan, the Young Guns program began as an organization of House Republicans dedicated to electing open seat and challenger candidates nationwide.

During the 2008 cycle, through a partnership of Republican volunteers, donors and 59 members of the House of Representatives, five House GOP challengers won against incumbent Democrats. Four of those were Young Guns – Tom Rooney (FL-16), Bill Cassidy (LA-06), Lynn Jenkins (KS-02), and Pete Olson (TX-22).About young guns. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.gopyoungguns.com/about

Under the leadership of Chairman Sessions, the NRCC adopted the Young Guns program as the candidate recruitment and training program for House Republicans. It is designed to assist Republican candidates for the House of Representatives.

This program is open to all Republican candidates – regardless of a primary or convention situation in their districts – with the ultimate goal of ensuring whoever the Republican nominee is, they are able to build the strongest campaign possible. Those enrolled work with NRCC staff to meet rigorous benchmarks designed to improve their campaign structure, fundraising, communications and online strategy.

There are three levels of the Young Guns program – "On the Radar," "Contender," and "Young Gun." In 2010, 92 campaigns were granted "Young Gun" status.Young gun candidates. (n.d.). Retrieved from

Following the 2008 United States House of Representatives elections, the NRCC revamped its incumbent protection program, renaming it the Patriot Program. Candidates given the "patriot" designation are provided additional funding and organizational assistance for their reelection campaigns.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2009/05/nrcc-aims-to-protect-the-at-risk-022667|title=NRCC aims to protect the at-risk

|first=Josh|last=Kraushaar|website=Politico

|date=19 May 2009}} Candidates in the Patriot Program represent key districts and are perceived as vulnerable due to the likelihood of a close contest in their upcoming elections.{{cite web|url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/nrcc-patriot-program-2016|title=Exclusive: NRCC Announces 12 Members in Patriot Program|first=Emily|last=Cahn|date=13 February 2015|via=www.rollcall.com}}

In 2010, nine of the ten candidates endorsed by the Patriot Program won reelection. The candidates endorsed by the Patriot Program in 2010 were Rep. Dan Lungren (CA-03), Rep. Ken Calvert (CA-44), Rep. Brian Bilbray (CA-50), Rep. Judy Biggert (IL-13), Rep. Joseph Cao (LA-02), Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (MI-11), Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03), Rep. Leonard Lance (NJ-07), Rep. Christopher Lee (NY-26), and Rep. Dave Reichert (WA-08).

In 2012, seven of the ten candidates endorsed by the Patriot Program won reelection. The candidates endorsed by the Patriot Program in 2012 were Rep. Sean Duffy (WI-07), Rep. Allen West (FL-22), Rep. Lou Barletta (PA-11), Rep. Pat Meehan (PA-07), Rep. Frank Guinta (NH-01), Rep. Joe Heck (NV-03), Rep. Francisco "Quico" Canesco (TX-23), Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08), and Rep. Tom Latham (IA-03).{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/06/patriot-program-preps-for-relaunch-055965 |title=Patriot Program preps for relaunch |last=Cahn |first=Emily |date= 1 June 2011 |publisher=Politico}}

In 2018, only four of the ten candidates endorsed by the Patriot Program won reelection with the other six either losing or retiring. The candidates endorsed by the Patriot Program in 2018 were Rep. David Valadao (CA-21), Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25), Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-49), Rep. Brian Mast (FL-18), Rep. Jason Lewis (MN-02), Rep. John Faso (NY-19), Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08), Rep. Will Hurd (TX-23), and Rep. Barbara Comstock (VA-10).{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollcall.com/2017/02/15/republicans-identify-vulnerable-members-for-2018/|title = Republicans Identify Vulnerable Members for 2018|date = 15 February 2017}}

In 2020, all ten candidates endorsed by the Patriot Program won reelection. The candidates endorsed by the Patriot Program in 2020 were Rep. Fred Upton (MI-06), Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), Rep. Lee Zeldin (NY-01), Rep. John Katko (NY-24), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Rep. Michael McCaul (TX-10), Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22), Rep. Will Hurd (TX-23), Rep. John Carter (TX-31), and Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03).{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollcall.com/2019/04/19/house-republicans-identify-vulnerable-members-for-2020/|title = House Republicans identify vulnerable members for 2020|date = 19 April 2019}}

In 2000 and 2002, one-third of the committee's $210.8 million raised was in soft money donations. The committee held record-breaking events featuring President George W. Bush.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/20/us/worried-over-soft-money-gop-readies-major-gala.html|title=Worried Over Soft Money, G.O.P. Readies Major Gala|first=Philip|last=Shenon|newspaper=The New York Times|date=20 June 2001}}

After the ban of soft money donations, the NRCC's fundraising sources and techniques have been criticized. For the 2004 election cycle, its top three donors included two Indian tribal clients of Jack Abramoff. Others include gambling interests (also related to Abramoff).{{cite web |url=http://www.capitaleye.org/abramoff_recips_detail.asp?type=R&Name=National+Republican+Congressional+Cmte |title=Capital Eye |website=www.capitaleye.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060214010901/http://www.capitaleye.org/abramoff_recips_detail.asp?type=R&Name=National+Republican+Congressional+Cmte |archive-date=2006-02-14}}

On September 21, 2006, Chairman Tom Reynolds met with lobbyists in Washington, D.C. to warn them to contribute only to Republicans and not to challengers from the Democratic Party because their donations would be tracked and they would lose favors among the Republican members of Congress.{{cite news | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14682621 | title=Traps are set for Dems | publisher=MSNBC |date= September 28, 2006 | access-date =2008-05-17 | url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080422002217/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14682621 |archive-date = 2008-04-22}} Similar activities of the K Street Project occurred when Davis was head of the NRCC; the organization was fined by the Federal Election Commission for transferring funds between PACs for the same candidates in violation of contribution limits.{{cite news | url=http://www.fec.gov/press/press2004/20040409murs.html | title=PARTY MISUSE OF SOFT MONEY TO PAY FOR ISSUE ADS RESULTS IN $280,000 CIVIL PENALTY | publisher=FEC | date=April 9, 2004 | access-date=2008-05-17 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515211642/http://www.fec.gov/press/press2004/20040409murs.html | archive-date=May 15, 2008 }}

The NRCC has also offered awards such as "Physician of the Year", "Businessman of the Year", "Columnist of the Year" and "Congressional Order of Merit" to very few individuals each year.{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Investigation/story?id=643826|title=Are Honors for Physicians the New Political Diploma Mill? |last=Ross|first=Brian|date=April 5, 2005|work=ABC News|access-date=2009-07-11}}{{cite news|url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/01/01/loc_amos01.html|title=Some awards come with a big price |last=Smith Amos|first=Denise|date=January 1, 2003|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|access-date=2009-07-11}}{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-22583586_ITM|title=You may already be a donor!|last=Lease|first=Daryl|date=March 3, 2003|work=Sarasota Herald Tribune|access-date=2009-07-11}}{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-22534575_ITM|title=House GOP Fundraisers Put a Price On Honor|last=Weisman|first=Jonathan|date=February 22, 2003|newspaper=The Washington Post|pages=A.01|access-date=2009-07-11}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20120111232347/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/292331721.html?dids=292331721:292331721&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&fmac=&date=Feb+22%2C+2003&author=Jonathan+Weisman&desc=House+GOP+Fundraisers+Put+a+Price+On+Honors Washington Post archive]{{cite web|url=http://www.sciencefriday.com/blog/index.php?archives/221-Congressional-Order-of-Merit-For-A-Price.html|title=Congressional Order of Merit – For A Price|last=Flatow|first=Ira|date=July 11, 2007|access-date=2010-07-09}}

In April 2021, it was reported that the NRCC had sent donors prechecked boxes that would automatically sign donors up for repeating donations every month if not unchecked. The NRCC sent this message in tandem: "If you UNCHECK this box, we will have to tell Trump you're a DEFECTOR." The message was removed after The New York Times reported on the tactic.{{cite news |last1=Goldmacher |first1=Shane |title=G.O.P. Group Warns of 'Defector' List if Donors Uncheck Recurring Box |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/07/us/politics/republicans-donations-trump-defector.html |access-date=April 10, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=April 7, 2021}}

In 2006, just days before the November 7 midterm congressional elections, there were numerous reports of a series of automated phone calls ("robocalls") being authorized by the NRCC, with the apparent intention to confuse and annoy the supporters of Democratic candidates for the House of Representatives.{{Cite news| last1 = Babington| first1 = Charles | last2 = MacGillis| first2 = Alec | title = It's a Candidate Calling. Again| newspaper = The Washington Post| pages = A08| date = November 7, 2006| url =https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/06/AR2006110601103_pf.html}} The automated call would typically begin by saying, "Hello, I'm calling with information about ___" and naming the Democratic candidate. If the recipient hung up, the call would be repeated, often several times, thus leading voters to believe incorrectly that the Democratic campaign was harassing them.{{Cite news |last=Elliott |first=Philip |title=How do you like those nasty telephone calls from the campaigns |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=November 1, 2006 |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2006/11/01/how_do_you_like_those_nasty_telephone_calls_from_the_campaigns/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313112241/http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2006/11/01/how_do_you_like_those_nasty_telephone_calls_from_the_campaigns/ |archive-date=March 13, 2007 }} The NRCC used the tactic in at least 53 competitive House races.

In New Hampshire, the state attorney general's office requested that the NRCC end the robocalls, but many individuals in the state continued to report receiving them.[http://www3.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO33180/ Local News] whdh.com {{dead link|date=May 2023}} The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee sent the NRCC a cease-and-desist letter. The DCCC letter cited the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulation requiring that a prerecorded telephone call must identify the responsible entity at the beginning of the message, and must include the entity's telephone number. Because the NRCC's calls did not name the NRCC at the beginning and did not provide a contact phone number, the DCCC charged the NRCC with "a pattern of willful noncompliance with FCC requirements".{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/images/Politics/NRCC%20ceasedesist.pdf |title=Cease and desist|website=abcnews.go.com|access-date=21 May 2023}}

On March 13, 2008, the NRCC stated that its former treasurer, Christopher J. Ward, had apparently transferred "several hundred thousand dollars" in NRCC funds to "his personal and business bank accounts".{{cite press release| title = NRCC Chairman Cole Releases Statement and Update on Apparent Accounting Irregularities| publisher = National Republican Congressional Committee| date = March 13, 2008| url = http://www.nrcc.org/news/view_article.asp?id=1459| access-date = 2008-03-14| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080315013933/http://www.nrcc.org/news/view_article.asp?id=1459| archive-date = March 15, 2008| url-status = dead}} An estimated $724,000 in losses were embezzled from the NRCC by Ward between 2001 and 2007.Bresnahan, John. [http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/38436.html NRCC settles embezzlement case.] Politico. June 11, 2010. Ward has served as treasurer for 83 Republican committees{{Cite news| last = Kane| first = Paul| title = NRCC Says Ex-Treasurer Diverted Up to $1 Million| newspaper = The Washington Post| pages = A01| date = March 14, 2008| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/13/AR2008031302841.html?hpid=topnews}} and has done work for the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.{{Cite news| last = Silverstein| first = Ken| author-link = Ken Silverstein| title = NRCC Financial Scandal Looks Like an Inside Job| newspaper = Harper's Magazine| date = February 6, 2008| url = http://www.harpers.org/archive/2008/02/hbc-90002318}}

On June 6, 2008, the Department of Justice, in filing a civil forfeiture proceeding against Ward's house, alleged that Ward "made over $500,000 in unauthorized withdrawals" and that he used the money to make his mortgage payments and for home renovation.{{cite web | title = Justice Dept: Ward took at least $500K in GOP campaign funds | publisher = Yahoo! News| date = June 6, 2008| url = https://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/16281 | access-date =2008-06-08 }}

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) conducted a probe into disclosure reports submitted by the NRCC during Ward's tenure as treasurer. Guy Harrison, the executive director of NRCC, agreed to pay a $10,000 civil fine and signed a conciliation agreement with the FEC on June 10, 2010.

On December 2, 2010, a federal judge sentenced Ward to 37 months in prison for stealing more than $844,000 from the NRCC and other political fundraising committees for which he worked as treasurer.Hsu, Spencer S. "NRCC official sentenced in theft" (December 2, 2010) washingtonpost.com

File:National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) (53830788817).jpg

In 2008 the NRCC concentrated on trying to help incumbent Republicans win re-election. Even so, the committee had to make "triage"-type decisions about allocating its funds. In October 2008, it canceled several hundred thousand dollars worth of television advertising time slated for the re-election campaigns of Michele Bachmann, Marilyn Musgrave, and Tom Feeney, having concluded that they could not win.{{Cite news| last = Cillizza| first = Chris| author-link = The Fix (blog) | title = House Republicans Bow to Political Reality| newspaper = The Washington Post| date = October 22, 2008| url = http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/10/house_republicans_bowing_to_po.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090709152536/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/10/house_republicans_bowing_to_po.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = July 9, 2009}} The decision drew criticism from the conservative Family Research Council, which stated, "It appears that the NRCC is abandoning social conservative candidates and the issues for which they stand…."{{cite web| last = Allen| first = Jonathan | title = Social Conservatives Aim Fire at GOP Campaign Committee| publisher = CQ Politics| date = October 23, 2008| url = http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=news-000002978561| access-date = 2008-10-24}} Bachmann was the only one of those three who was re-elected, winning a plurality of 46% of the vote in a three-way race.

In 2010, Republican candidates won a historic number of seats in the House of Representatives.{{Cite news |last=Bendavid |first=Gerald F. Seib And Naftali |title=How the Rout Was Won: Careful Plans, Timely Wave |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704141104575588631233481588 |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}} Rep. Sessions and the NRCC staff received praise for harnessing voter sentiment and contributing to Republican gains.McKenzie, W (2010, November 2) A Big Night For Pete Sessions http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/11/a-big-night-for.html

The NRCC raised and spent tens of millions of dollars on independent expenditure advertising. Republicans won in 52 of the 66 seats where the NRCC made those expenditures.{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Sean J. |date=2010-11-10 |title=Strategists second-guess Dem spending strategy after losses in House |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/campaign-committees/128523-dems-spending-questioned-after-historic-house-losses/ |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}

The NRCC made some of its biggest gains in New York, where two incumbents won reelection and five seats flipped from being held by Democrats to being held by Republicans. In Pennsylvania, the committee retained seven incumbents and flipped five seats from being held by Democrats to being held by Republicans. The committee made gains across the midwest, where it won control of both North and South Dakota, and made sizeable gains in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan.{{cite web |url=http://www.nrcc.org/news/Election-Results-Map/ |title=Election Results Map |website=www.nrcc.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105145856/http://www.nrcc.org/news/Election-Results-Map/ |archive-date=2010-11-05}}

The committee targeted numerous veteran Democrats who held important posts in their party's leadership. The NRCC worked to help GOP candidates defeat Committee Chairmen John Spratt (Budget), Ike Skelton (Armed Services), and James Oberstar (Transportation and Infrastructure).{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Shailagh |date=2010-11-02 |title=Losses among Democratic leaders could set up a scramble for power |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/02/AR2010110202539.html |access-date=2023-03-10 |issn=0190-8286}} In each of these cases, Republicans prevailed over the Democrats.{{Cite news |last=Hananel |first=Sam |date=2010-11-04 |title=Three top committee chairmen are ousted |work=Boston.com |url=http://archive.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/11/04/three_top_committee_chairmen_are_ousted/ |access-date=2023-03-10}}

• National Republican Senatorial Committee
• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

{{Reflist}}

• {{official website|http://www.nrcc.org/}}
• [http://www.businessadvisorycouncil.org/ NRCC Business Advisory Council] site, referenced as part of the National Leadership Award solicitations.
• [http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/EAD/htmldocs/RMM03128.html Cornell University Guide to the National Republican Congressional Committee Records, 1964?–1971]
• Donations to NRCC at [http://www.opensecrets.org/parties/total.asp?Cmte=NRCC OpenSecrets.com]
• Donations to NRCC in 2004 from [http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/committees/national_republican_congressional_committee.asp?cycle=04 Campaignmoney.com]
• Donations to NRCC in 2006 from [http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/committees/national_republican_congressional_committee.asp?cycle=06 Campaignmoney.com]
• [https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/20/politics/20CAMP.html?ex=1148184000&en=e3e10651fe0a22a3&ei=5070 "Worried Over Soft Money, G.O.P. Readies Major Gala", New York Times]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140309233606/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3476031 "Politician or telemarketer?" MSNBC Nightly News, December 11. 2003]
• Jack Abramoff Lobbying and Political Contributions, 1999–2006 at [http://www.capitaleye.org/abramoff_recips_detail.asp?type=R&Name=National+Republican+Congressional+Cmte CapitalEye.com]

{{Republican Party}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1886 establishments in the United States

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Category:Organizations established in 1886