21.   Although the amounts and sources make soft money enticing to parties, the parties cannot rely solely on soft money.

22.   Although there are differences between the Senate and House versions, both would ban the unlimited and unregulated contributions to political parties known as soft money.

23.   An equally telling showdown will be over the inclusion of a ban on soft money.

24.   An existing law specifically bans foreign contributions to candidates, and the FEC has ruled that the statute also applies to unregulated soft money given to political parties.

25.   And he said he also supports a cap on soft money instead of a ban.

26.   And even as the board tries to crack down on spending by parties, other sources of soft money remain, including political action committees and unions.

27.   And each played games with soft money.

28.   And he said his count showed that if the bill banning soft money had come to a vote, it would have been defeated.

29.   And in practice, soft money is used by both parties to elect their candidates.

30.   And many Republicans fear that ending soft money would benefit Democrats because labor unions could still use a portion of member dues to make political contributions.