Washington — Just 3 percent of members contribute to the American Veterinary Medical Association Political Action Committee (AVMA-PAC), causing donations to fall short of the $1-million dollar goal once set for 2008.

While the PAC shows slow but steady growth in recent years, contributions for it two-year earnings cycle have never topped $600,000, confirms Christine Baker, who joined AVMA as the PAC’s fundraiser and manager in 2007. Officials hope ongoing internal research designed to identify potential supporters might change that. Right now, as in the past, the majority of donors are senior, male veterinarians.

“You don’t turn into a million-dollar PAC overnight,” Baker says. “But we’re identifying new fundraising ideas to increase our revenues so we can meet that mark.”

What do PAC dollars buy? Representation for the veterinary profession and a voice on Capitol Hill, leaders say. In previous years, donations have earned officials within AVMA’s Governmental Relations Division access to lawmakers involved in legislative initiatives that directly affect the profession.

With that mind, Baker has launched a new fundraising campaign intended to incite competition among the nation’s 28 veterinary medical programs and states for the most PAC donations. The contest began July 1 and will continue through June 30, 2009. During that time, all PAC donations will be attributed to the donor’s home state and alma mater. By the competition’s end, a $1,000 contribution will be made to the respective scholarship fund. A formal announcement will be made during AVMA’s July convention in Seattle.

While the AVMA PAC is bipartisan and never contributes to presidential candidates, interest typically peaks during major elections, Baker says. The 2007-2008 PAC year, which ended in June, brought in $311,000. During the 110th Congress, funding was distributed to the following lawmakers:

Alexander, Lamar / U.S. SENATE / (R-VA-S2)     $2,000.00
Allen, Thomas / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-ME-01)     $1,000.00
Andrews, Robert / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-NJ-01)     $1,000.00
Andrews, Robert / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-NJ-S2)     $1,000.00
Baldwin, Tammy / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-WI-02)     $3,000.00
Barrasso, John / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-WY-S2)     $2,000.00
Barrow, John / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-GA-12)     $2,000.00
Barton, Joe / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-TX-06)     $7,000.00
Baucus, Max / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-MT-S1)     $5,000.00
Bennett, Robert / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-UT-S2)     $3,000.00
Bennett, Robert / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-UT-S2)     $2,000.00
Bingaman, Jeff / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-NM-S2)     $2,000.00
Bishop, Sanford / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-GA-02)     $1,000.00
Blackburn, Marsha / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-TN-07)     $1,000.00
Boehner, John / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-OH-08)     $1,000.00
Bond, Christopher / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-MO-S1)     $2,000.00
Bonner, Jo / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-AL-01)     $1,000.00
Bono Mack, Mary / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-CA-45)     $1,000.00
Boswell, Leonard / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-IA-03)     $3,000.00
Boyd, Allen / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-FL-02)     $3,000.00
Brown, Sherrod / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-OH-13)     $1,000.00
Brown, Sherrod / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-OH-S2)     $2,000.00
Burr, Richard / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-NC-S2)     $5,000.00
Buyer, Steve / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-IN-04)     $2,000.00
Casey, Robert / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-PA-S2)     $1,000.00
Chambliss, Saxby / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-GA-S1)     $5,000.00
Changing TIDE Committee, The     $1,000.00
Clinton, Hillary / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-NY-S2)     $2,000.00
Coburn, Thomas / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-OK-S2)     $2,000.00
Cochran, Thad / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-MS-S1)     $4,000.00
Coleman, Norm / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-MN-S1)     $2,000.00
Conaway, Michael / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-TX-11)     $3,000.00
Conrad, Kent / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-ND-S1)     $2,000.00
Costa, James / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-CA-20)     $1,000.00
Craig, Larry / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-ID-S1)     $3,000.00
Crapo, Michael / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-ID-S2)     $3,000.00
Davis, Lincoln / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-TN-)     $1,000.00
Deal, Nathan / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-GA-09)     $4,000.00
DeLauro, Rosa / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-CT-03)     $7,000.00
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee     $30,000.00
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee     $30,000.00
Dingell, John / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-MI-15)     $1,000.00
Dodd, Christopher / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-CT-S1)     $3,000.00
Dorgan, Byron / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-ND-S2)     $3,000.00
Durbin, Richard / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-IL-S2)     $4,000.00
Edwards, Chet / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-TX-11)     $1,000.00
Ellsworth, Brad / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-IN-08)     $1,000.00
Ensign, John / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-NV-S2)     $4,000.00
Enzi, Michael / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-WY-S2)     $5,000.00
Eshoo, Anna / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-CA-14)     $1,000.00
Etheridge, Bob / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-NC-02)     $1,000.00
Farr, Sam / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-CA-17)     $3,000.00
Feingold, Russell / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-WI-S2)     $2,000.00
Feinstein, Dianne / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-CA-S1)     $3,000.00
Fortenberry, Jeff / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-NE-1)     $1,000.00
Foxx, Virginia / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-NC-05)     $1,000.00
Giffords, Gabrielle / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-AZ-08)     $3,000.00
Gillibrand, Kirsten / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-NY-20)     $1,000.00
Goodlatte, Robert / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-VA-06)     $2,000.00
Gordon, Bart / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-TN-06)     $2,000.00
Grassley, Charles / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-IA-S1)     $1,000.00
Graves, Samuel / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-MO-06)     $2,000.00
Gregg, Judd / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-NH-S1)     $2,000.00
Hagan, Kay / Challenger / U.S. SENATE / (D-NC-S2)     $2,000.00
Hagel, Chuck / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-NE-S1)     $3,000.00
Halvorson, Deborah / Challenger / U.S. HOUSE / (D-IL-11)     $1,000.00
Harkin, Tom / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-IA-S2)     $5,000.00
Harris, Andrew / Challenger / U.S. HOUSE / (R-MD-01)     $2,000.00
Hatch, Orrin / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-UT-S1)     $3,000.00
Hayes, Robin / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-NC-08)     $1,000.00
Herseth, Stephanie / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-SD-01)     $2,000.00
Hinchey, Maurice / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-NY-26)     $2,000.00
Hodes, Paul / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-NH-02)     $1,000.00
Holden, Tim / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-PA-06)     $4,000.00
Hooley, Darlene / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-OR-05)     $1,000.00
Hutchison, Kay / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-TX-S2)     $2,000.00
Isakson, Johnny / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-GA-S2)     $3,000.00
Jackson, Jesse / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-IL-02)     $1,000.00
Johanns, Michael / Challenger / U.S. SENATE / (R-NE-S2)     $5,000.00
Johnson, Tim / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-SD-S1)     $6,000.00
Johnson, Timothy / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-IL-15)     $1,000.00
Kagen, Steve / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-WI-08)     $1,000.00
Kennedy, Edward / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-MA-S1)     $2,000.00
King, Steve / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-IA-05)     $4,000.00
Kingston, Jack / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-GA-01)     $7,000.00
Klobuchar, Amy / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-MN-S2)     $3,000.00
Kuhl, John / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-NY-29)     $1,000.00
Lampson, Nick / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-TX-09)     $1,000.00
Landrieu, Mary / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-LA-S1)     $2,000.00
Latham, Tom / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-IA-05)     $2,000.00
Leahy, Patrick / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-VT-S1)     $3,000.00
Lincoln, Blanche / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-AR-S1)     $3,000.00
Love, Jay / Challenger / U.S. HOUSE / (R-AL-02)     $1,000.00
Lucas, Frank / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-OK-03)     $2,000.00
Lugar, Richard / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-IN-S1)     $2,000.00
Mahoney, Timothy / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-FL-16)     $1,000.00
Martinez, Mel / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-FL-S2)     $2,000.00
McCollum, Betty / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-MN-04)     $2,000.00
McConnell, Mitch / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-KY-S2)     $2,000.00
McCotter, Thaddeus / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-MI-11)     $2,000.00
McIntyre, Mike / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-NC-07)     $1,000.00
McMorris Rodgers, Cathy / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-WA-05)     $1,000.00
Michaud, Michael / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-ME-02)     $2,000.00
Mikulski, Barbara / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-MD-S1)     $3,000.00
Miller, Bradley / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-NC-13)     $1,000.00
Moran, Jerry / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-KS-01)     $3,000.00
Murkowski, Lisa / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-AK-S2)     $2,000.00
Murphy, Tim / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-PA-18)     $1,000.00
Murray, Patty / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-WA-S1)     $2,000.00
Musgrave, Marilyn / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-CO-04)     $3,000.00
Myrick, Sue / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-NC-09)     $1,000.00
National Republican Congressional Committee     $30,000.00
National Republican Senatorial Committee     $30,000.00
Nelson, Ben / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-NE-S2)     $5,000.00
Neugebauer, Robert / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-TX-19)     $1,000.00
Pallone, Frank / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-NJ-06)     $7,000.00
Pearce, Steve / Challenger / U.S. SENATE / (R-NM-S2)     $1,000.00
Perlmutter, Edwin / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-CO-07)     $1,000.00
Peterson, Collin / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-MN-07)     $7,000.00
Pickering, Charles / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-MS-03)     $1,000.00
Pitts, Joseph / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-PA-16)     $1,000.00
Pomeroy, Earl / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-ND-AL)     $1,000.00
Porter, Jon / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-NV-03)     $1,000.00
Price, David / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-NC-04)     $2,000.00
Pryor, Mark / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-AR-S2)     $2,000.00
Reed, Jack / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-RI-S1)     $4,000.00
Roberts, Pat / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-KS-S2)     $7,000.00
Rogers, Michael / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-AL-03)     $2,000.00
Rogers, Michael / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-MI-08)     $4,000.00
Ross, Michael / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-AR-04)     $2,000.00
Salazar, John / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-CO-03)     $2,000.00
Salazar, Ken / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-CO-S2)     $2,000.00
Sanders, Bernie / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (I-VT-S2)     $2,000.00
Schmidt, Jean / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-OH-02)     $1,000.00
Schrader, Kurt / Challenger / U.S. HOUSE / (D-OR-05)     $7,500.00
Sessions, Jeff / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-AL-S2)     $1,000.00
Shays, Christopher / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-CT-04)     $3,000.00
Shelby, Richard / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-AL-S1)     $1,000.00
Smith, Adrian / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-NE-03)     $4,000.00
Smith, Gordon / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-OR-029)     $2,000.00
Solis, Hilda / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-CA-32)     $1,000.00
Space, Zachary / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-OH-18)     $1,000.00
Specter, Arlen / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-PA-S1)     $3,000.00
Speier, Jackie / Challenger / U.S. HOUSE / (D-CA-12)     $1,000.00
Stabenow, Debbie / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-MI-S2)     $2,000.00
Stender, Linda / Challenger / U.S. HOUSE / (D-NJ-07)     $1,000.00
Stivers, Steve / Challenger / U.S. HOUSE / (R-OH-15)     $1,000.00
Sullivan, John / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-OK-01)     $2,000.00
Terry, Lee / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-NE-02)     $1,000.00
Tester, Jon / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (D-MT-S2)     $2,000.00
Thompson, Mike / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-CA-01)     $2,000.00
Thune, John / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-SD-S2)     $3,000.00
Titus, Dina / Challenger / U.S. HOUSE / (D-NV-03)     $1,000.00
Towns, Edolphus / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-NY-10)     $2,000.00
Velazquez, Nydia / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-NY-12)     $1,000.00
Vitter, David / Incumbent / U.S. SENATE / (R-LA-S2)     $2,000.00
Walberg, Tim / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (R-MI-07)     $4,000.00
Walz, Timothy / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-MN-01)     $1,000.00
Wasserman-Schultz, Debbie / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-FL-20)     $1,000.00
Weiner, Anthony / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-NY-09)     $1,000.00
Welch, Peter / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-VT-AL)     $1,000.00
Woolsey, Lynn / Incumbent / U.S. HOUSE / (D-CA-06)     $1,000.00