Washington (CNN) - Mitt Romney's coming to the aid of dozens of Republican members of Congress who he says are trying to cut government spending.
The former Massachusetts governor and probable 2012 GOP presidential candidate announced on Tuesday that Free and Strong America PAC, his political action committee, is contributing $83,500 to 40 House and Senate Republicans.
"It is important that we stand with our Republican Members of Congress and show that we support their pro-growth agenda and their efforts to reduce the size of government," say Romney, in an email release. "Now is the time for all of us to send a powerful message that Americans will no longer tolerate the Washington culture of higher taxes, higher spending, and higher debt."
Last month House Republicans passed a bill that calls for $61 billion in spending cuts. They are now, along with Senate Republicans, calling on Senate Democrats to hold a vote on the legislation. Senate Democrats label the House GOP spending bill as extreme.
The new contributions bring to more than $200,000 the amount of money Romney's contributed to Republican lawmakers this year through his PAC. He also was a big supporter of Republican candidates last year during the midterm elections. Such assistance could pay dividends later this year and next year if Romney takes the presidential plunge.
Romney, who ran for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination, says he will decide later this year if he'll make another bid for the White House.
When asked last month whether he was going to run he said "I don't have an answer for you yet, because there are a lot of things that you have to consider before you make the final decision. Clearly, I'm doing the things, like other folks are doing, to keep the option open, and moving forward in the event that I make a positive decision. But there are matters of health, of support, of the kind of network you'd like to have of individuals behind you. Those are things you've got to assess before you make a final decision," Romney said on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight."
To see a list of all the members of Congress who are receiving donations from Romney's PAC, click here.
–Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter: @psteinhausercnn
Who says money doesn't matter when you have that much of it. Then again he is trying to buy support. Typical and he has no shame!
Geesh Mitt. Don't you think between the Koch Brothers and other corporations that the congressional republicans don't need your assistance.
Keep them in the cash. Lets get rid of some Senate Democrats in 2012.
Well, between him and Karl Rove having to buy votes shows how little they have to offer in substance.
Yep...contributes to congressional GOPers...but not at all to the progress of our country, our cutlure, our society or to the sanity and truthfulness of our national discourse.
I believe he also contributes to Rogaine's profit margin.
We all knew that's how Wall Street and the Koch Bros bought GOP politicians, but I didn't realize other GOP politicians were buying them too??
Kind of like a snake eating it's tail?
Even with all the shameless attacks on Romney's Health Care plan recently from Huckabee and others, Romney goes out and gives more money to Republicans today.
You tell me who has more class?
Look at the crowd behind him. This is the America Rum-nee wants to represent. This is THEIR idea of America. When he visits minority areas it's who let the dogs out? What a creep.
"Romney, who ran for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination, says he will decide later this year if he'll make another bid for the White House."
Still waiting to see what Palin is going to do first, is he. Sooner or later these wimpy presidential wannabee's really are going to have to get over their fear of Sarah Palin, and actually confront her. Good grief, if they can't get past Palin in a primary, how on earth do they think they are going to get past President Obama in the general election? Not a good idea showing such lack of leadership so early in the game, Mitt - especially considering the unrest not only in America, but the world as a whole.
I am so proud of the Republicans in the House and the Senate. Finally the American economy has a fighting chance going forward and someone is doing something in Washington to bring unemployment down.
Continuously extending unemployment benefits is not the answer. Putting people to work is. The Republicans in congress have been taming federal government spending and making the necessary changes to put people back to work.
Good work Mitt! They'll need the money to counter the propaganda push by the leftists.
I think all voters are for spending cuts as long as there is shared sacrifice. People have to understand and do the math....can't keep giving tax cuts and tax loop holes for corporations that continue to outsource jobs. Cuts should NOT come on the backs of middle class and poor ONLY!!!
Mittens, they are running from you. You cannot buy loyalty, but it is a nice try on your part.
Not really contributions, can we say Suck Up to members of Congress instead?
Some people have forgotten what government were invented for to work for the people and not aganst them . It appears we I a party have a preception problem.
Mitt Romney has been running for president since 2008 and floundering like a fool to the republicans and tea party for NAUGHT! The conservatives are not going to allow his man to be their parties nominee, no way, too bad Mitt there is always 2016!
Thanks for Romneycare. You provided a excellent blue print.