Mac Thornberry

Rep. Roscoe Bartlett is stilling vying to be the Republican ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee -- a position which can hinge on how well your campaign war chest is doing.

So, how's it going?

In Congress, a good part of advancing your committee assignment relies on what you have in the bank: campaign funds buy influence in the caucus and among colleagues. With GOP Rep. Roscoe Bartlett locked in a battle over who will succeed to the top minority positions on the House Armed Services Committee, here’s a look at how it’s shaping up from the financial angle.

The impending retirement of the two top Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee has set off a long race to climb to ranking member – one in which Rep. Roscoe Bartlett is locked.