An official of American Crossroads, the top-spending Super PAC in the 2010 election cycle, co-hosted a fundraiser for a lawmaker’s campaign last week, further blurring the line between candidate committees, which can raise limited contributions from individuals and political action committees, and Super PACs, which can raise unlimited funds from corporations, labor unions and individuals.

The Federal Election Commission ruled in June that candidates for federal office can raise funds for Super PACs—or independent expenditure-only committees—as long as they do not solicit contributions higher than those their own campaigns can accept. Super PAC officials are free to ask those donors for far more money.

Jim Dyke, secretary of American Crossroads, co-hosted a fundraiser for freshman congressman Tim Griffin, R-Ark. The other hosts were former Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillispie and his wife. Gillespie and Karl Rove, the longtime senior adviser in the George W. Bush administration, encouraged the formation of American Crossroads and served as fundraisers for the group.

The invitation made no reference to American Crossroads. While Super PACs and candidates can coordinate their fundraising, they are still barred from coordinating spending, whether it be on television or radio ads, get out the vote efforts, or other campaign activities.

The fundraising reception was at a Capitol Hill Mexican restaurant on Sept. 14; the invite asked donors for up to $2,000 from PACs and $1,000 from individuals. Gillespie has hosted congressional fundraisers in the past, but this appears to be the first such event hosted by Dyke in Party Time’s records, which date back to mid-2008 but do not include all of D.C.’s fundraisers.

“Hosting the fundraiser could raise questions about possible coordination,” campaign finance lawyer Brett Kappel, of Arent Fox, wrote in an email, “but the FEC has never pursued a case based solely on hosting a fundraiser.”

Gillespie, Dyke and Griffin all said there was no coordination. In an email, Gillespie wrote,

“I’m proud to contribute to Tim Griffin’s re-election campaign, and have urged others to do so as well, but I’m not privy to his campaign’s strategy or decisions.  Likewise, I’m proud to support the efforts of American Crossroads and believe it’s an important counterweight to liberal groups, but I’m not an officer there, not a paid employee nor consultant and have no control over its expenditures.”

Dyke, who is from Arkansas, wrote, “As a board member [of American Crossroads] I am committed to upholding the legal separation between campaign and third party coordination and made certain that a contribution to Tim’s campaign and encouraging others to do so was in no way a violation of that separation.”

Asked if the event raised questions about coordination, Griffin wrote in a statement, “No. Jim Dyke has been a close friend for almost a decade, was a member of my wedding party and grew up in my district.”

There are professional ties among the three as well. When Gillespie led the Republican National Committee in 2004, Dyke was the communications director, and Griffin worked on opposition research. After the election, Griffin was tapped as a White House assistant to Rove.

He was later picked by the Bush Administration to replace Bud Cummins, one of the U.S. attorneys that was controversially dismissed in 2006. Griffin was appointed as the interim U.S. Attorney for Arkansas’ Eastern district in late 2006 but withdrew his candidacy months later amid the scandal.

A Department of Justice investigation later concluded that Cummins was fired because the White House wanted to give Griffin the position. The report quotes an email from DOJ official Kyle Sampson saying that getting Griffin appointed was important to Rove and Harriet Myers, the former White House counsel.

Neither American Crossroads nor Crossroads GPS spent money on Griffin’s race in 2010, according to FEC records. Dyke and Gillespie both head their own consulting practices and their respective companies share a K Street address. Dyke’s firm, JDA Frontline, is a strategic communications consulting firm that also has an office in South Carolina. Gillespie runs Ed Gillespie Strategies out of Virginia.

American Crossroads and its sister nonprofit Crossroads GPS plan to raise $240 million for the 2012 election.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., is the latest lawmaker on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to plan a campaign fundraiser this fall, according to a fundraising memo obtained today.

A new fundraiser was also disclosed involving Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., who has planned to attend ten such events from September through November, when the so-called super committee wraps up its work: five for his campaign, three for his leadership PAC and two for his colleagues. The newly disclosed event is a golf outing and dinner to raise money for Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., in Birmingham, Ala. on Sept. 26.

Van Hollen’s event, at 8 a.m. on Sept. 23, would conflict with any informal, collegial breakfast of the type the 12-member deficit committee held today. The panel is tasked with finding at least $1.2 trillion of deficit cuts by Thanksgiving.

Van Hollen’s breakfast will take place just across the street from the Capitol at Charlie Palmer Steak, a frequent destination for such events, and asks for between $500 and $5,000. The Maryland Democrat was also billed as the special guest to a fundraiser for Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, earlier today and is hosting one for Rep. Allyson Schwartz, D-Pa., on Oct. 5.

Nine lawmakers on the 12-member super committee have scheduled fundraisers or appearances at colleagues’ events since being named to the committee (See them all on our Super Committee page or on this list).

In Party Time’s records, there are currently no events planned for co-chair Rep. Jeb Hensarling,  R-Texas, Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., or Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., through Thanksgiving. However, such events could still be scheduled; we do not receive invitations to every congressional fundraiser in Washington, D.C.

Another lawmaker on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., has put off a fundraiser until after the panel finishes its work.

But a spokesperson for the congressman would not answer whether he has nixed all such events through Thanksgiving, when the committee will finish its work. And no member of the committee—except Senator John Kerry, D-Mass.—has said he would cancel all of them. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, indicated he would cut back on his events and Max Baucus, D-Mont., canceled one of his.

Camp’s fundraiser, originally planned for Aug. 4 and to be hosted by former Senate Majority Leader-turned lobbyist Trent Lott, among others at the lobbying firm Patton Boggs, has not been rescheduled. And it will not take place until after the so-called super committee comes to a close, according to Camp’s spokesperson Megan Piwowar.

The event will likely be held in December, according to Camp’s fundraising consultant, Elaine Svigos.

Party Time asked Piwowar, over email, if the Michigan lawmaker would continue to hold fundraisers while the committee was working. Her response was:

“Since being named to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, Congressman Camp has not and will not schedule new fundraising events.”

But what about events that were already scheduled before his appointment to the committee on Aug. 10? After all, many fundraisers are booked months in advance, and fundraising consultants take advantage of the summer recess to book events for the fall. Camp had also planned a fundraiser on Sept. 7, the night before the super committee’s first organizational meeting, and there is no indication that it was postponed—only that it had been on the calendar before his appointment.

Senator Rob Portman, R-Ohio, in an interview with the Cincinnati Enquirer last week, did not commit to canceling all of his events either. He told the paper, “Members aren’t going to have the time to be involved in (as many) events that they would have been. Personally, I’ve canceled a bunch of events.”

But that does not appear to include an event happening tonight, hours after the committee finishes its first hearing, Portman is the main draw to a fundraiser benefiting the campaign of Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio. And he still plans to be there, according to the event’s organizer.

“The latest I’ve heard, yes,” Chabot’s fundraising consultant Mackenzie Smith said this morning. Portman’s press secretary was not immediately available to confirm this.

Portman is among the nine lawmakers on the 12-member committee who are known to be holding or hosting events since being appointed to the committee.

*note: This post has been updated to reflect that John Kerry had announced he would not raise money while the committee meets.

Yet another lawmaker on Congress’s special deficit-cutting committee will be asking D.C. insiders for cash as the panel begins its work.

Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., is the fourth Republican on the 12-member Joint Special Committee on Deficit Reduction—known as the Super Committee—that is holding or hosting a fundraiser in the coming weeks. Five of the committee’s Democrats plan to be involved in such events.

At a Sept. 22 breakfast at a French bistro that offers Steak and Egg Frites for $21, Toomey will be asking PACs to give as much as $2,000 to his leadership PAC; individuals are asked to donate $1,000 or $500. Lawmakers can use such accounts to dish out money to their colleagues’ campaigns and boost their prestige within their party.

Newly-released invitations also show that Republican Whip Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., another panel member, will be hosting a total of three fundraisers in the coming weeks. In addition to hosting a moneymaker for Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., he and other GOP leaders are the special guests at a Capitol Hill townhouse reception for Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., on Sept. 13.

The following week, Kyl is headlining an event for New Mexico Senate candidate Heather Wilson.

Another fundraiser involving super committee co-chair Patty Murray, D-Wash., was also disclosed today. She will be among the many Senate Democrats headlining the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s National Innovation Conference in Menlo Park, Calif., on Oct. 27 and 28.

For a complete list of fundraisers involving super committee members, see our Super Committee page.

Another member of Congress who is on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, or Super Committee, will be hosting a fundraiser as the group begins its formal work.

GOP senator Rob Portman, R-Ohio, a Senate freshman who is experienced with budget issues, is headlining a fundraiser on Sept. 13 for Congressman Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, according to a newly released invitation.

The evening reception asks PACs to ‘host’ the event for $2,500 or attend for $1,000. Individuals can participate for $500. The reception is being held at Capitol Hill’s high-class Johnny’s Half Shell, a seafood restaurant where the Maryland crab cakes go for $32.

That makes Portman the third Republican on the 12-member committee known to be hosting or holding a fundraiser in the coming weeks, just as many lobbyists will be looking for creative ways to catch their ears. Five of the six committee Democrats plan to be involved in fundraisers, Party Time’s invitations show. [Click here for a complete list of events on our new Super Committee page].

Lobbyists who have helped Portman, a former congressman and White House budget director under President George W. Bush, bring in cash before may have an easier time getting his attention. A slew of K street insiders planned a ‘Chili Fest’ for him in July.

That group includes Washington representatives of corporate lobbying heavyweights Ford, UPS, and Citibank, represented by Ziad Ojakli, also a former Bush aide, Sheryl Bonilla and Robert Schellhas, respectively. Schellhas, a principal at Washington Council Ernst & Young, was also Portman’s one-time chief of staff and a former staffer of another super committee member, Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich.

Portman’s other lobbyist hosts included Thomas Scully of Alston & Bird, who was the administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services under President Bush and now represents a long list of health care clients.

Nick Calio, an influential K Street veteran and former Bush legislative affairs director who now heads the Air Transport Association of America, also hosted the event.

When it was announced that he would join the ATAA last year, Calio told Politico he wanted to bolster the group’s PAC. He said:

“You’ve got to be part of the political process and contributions and political support are part of the political process,” he said. “When you have people who consistently support you on policy issues, they expect you to be part of their political life support system. It’s just that simple.”

Update, Sept. 1: Committee member Rob Portman is also hosting a fundraiser, which has been added to the list below. That list will be updated as more invitations are received.

During the week of Sept. 12, the week of the deadline for the Joint Committee on Debt Reduction to hold its first meeting, one of the panel members, Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., has planned fundraisers on four consecutive days, according to newly-revealed invitations.

Those events are just a few among the many (see list below and our page of all super committee fundraisers) being held or hosted by the members of the powerful committee as they decide how to slash at least $1.2 million from the nation’s deficit—work they have already begun.

As the lawmakers deliberate, they will also be accepting campaign checks as usual. Meanwhile, lobbyists who will be prodding them on issues from tax reform to Medicare will be attending their D.C. fundraisers.

As for Clyburn, there are a total of nine fundraisers on his schedule this fall, including the first one—a “Healthcare Breakfast” at the Caucus Room on Sept. 13. Pharmaceutical companies and doctors’ and hospitals’ groups will no doubt be interested in attending, as cuts to Medicare and Medicaid are expected to be considered by the panel.

On Sept. 14, another super committee member, Senate Whip Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., is a special guest at a moneymaker for Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc,—at the Caucus Room again—for those willing to donate between $500 and $2,000.

On the following Monday, committee member Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., is planning to leave the capital for Boston, where he is headlining a fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee—though few details about the event are known.

On Oct. 5, high rollers will have the chance to schmooze with Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., the headliner for a dinner benefiting his colleague, Rep. Allyson Schwartz, D-Penn. PACs are asked to chip in $2,500 or $5,00o for that affair.

Other than these newly-disclosed events there are at least six others previously reported by Party Time and other media outlets since the committee members were announced. Below is a current calendar of events involving panel members. Note that if the lawmaker is hosting the event—if it’s not for his own campaign—the beneficiary committee is listed.

Aug. 31 — Xavier Becerra — Evening Event

Sept. 7 — Xavier Becerra’s Leadership PAC — Baseball Game

Sept. 7 — Dave Camp — Reception

Sept. 13 — Jim Clyburn –”Healthcare Breakfast”

Sept. 13 — Patty Murray hosting — DSCC — Annual Fall Reception

Sept. 13 — Rob Portman hosting — Rep. Steve Chabot — Reception

Sept. 13 — Jon Kyl hosting — Sen. Roger Wicker — Reception –

Sept. 14 — Clyburn’s Leadership PAC — Breakfast

Sept. 14 — Jon Kyl hosting — Sen. Ron Johnson — Dinner — POSTPONED

Sept. 15 — Clyburn hosting — Rep. Gabbie Giffords — Breakfast

Sept. 15 — Van Hollen hosting — Rep. Tim Ryan — Lunch

Sept. 15  – Jim Clyburn – Dinner

Sept. 16 — Jim Clyburn – Breakfast

Sept. 18 — Chris Van Hollen’s joint fundraising committee — Evening event

Sept. 19 — John Kerry hosting — DSCC — Breakfast

Sept. 19 — Fred Upton hosting — Pete Hoekstra — Lunch

Sept. 21 — Jon Kyl hosting — Heather Wilson –Reception

Sept. 21 — Becerra hosting — Congressional Hispanic Caucus PAC — Reception

Sept. 22 — Pat Toomey’s Leadership PAC — Breakfast

Sept. 22 — Chris Van Hollen hosting — Reps. Tim Bishop and Kathy Hochul — Reception

Sept. 23 — Chris Van Hollen — Breakfast

Sept. 23 — Patty Murray hosting — DSCC — Reception

Sept. 26 — Clyburn hosting — Rep. Terri Sewell — Golf and Dinner

Oct. 4 — Jeb Hensarling hosting — Rep. Kay Granger — Texas Barbecue

Oct. 5 — Chris Van Hollen hosting — Rep. Allyson Schwartz — Dinner Reception

Oct. 5 — Jeb Hensarling — Event at Investment Co Institute (reported by Politico)

Oct. 6 — Becerra — A Taste of Los Angeles

Oct. 10 — Jim Clyburn – Reception

Oct. 13 — Jim Clyburn – Breakfast

Oct. 13 — Fred Upton hosting — Tuesday Group PAC — Reception

Oct. 16 — Max Baucus hosting — Sen. Jon Tester — Event at Oceana Restaurant in New York City (reported by Politico)

Oct. 20 — Pat Toomey — Breakfast at Bistro Bis (reported by Politico)

Oct. 20 — Jim Clyburn — Reception

Oct. 24 — Clyburn hosting — Emanuel Cleaver — Birthday and BBQ

Oct. 25 — Hensarling’s Leadership PAC — Reception and Dinner at Acadiana with Speaker Boehner (reported by Politico)

Oct. 25 — Clyburn hosting — DCCC — Speaker’s Cabinet National Issues Conference (reported by Politico)

Oct. 25 — Becerra hosting — Congressional Hispanic Caucus Bold PAC — Reception

Oct. 26 — Clyburn’s Leadership PAC – Breakfast

Oct. 27 — Patty Murray hosting — DSCC — National Innovation Conference

Oct. 27 — Clyburn hosting — DCCC — Reception

Nov. 1 — Kyl hosting — Sen. Ron Johnson — Breakfast

Nov. 3 — Clyburn hosting — Rep. John Yarmuth — Bourbon & BBQ Birthday Bash

Nov. 4 — Becerra hosting — Rep. Larry Kissell — Breakfast

Nov. 8 — Pat Toomey — Dinner at Charlie Palmer’s (reported by Politico)

Nov. 14 — Dave Camp hosting — Rep. Kenny Marchant — Dinner

Nov. 14 — Clyburn hosting — Steven Horsford — Reception

Nov. 15 — Van Hollen hosting — Rep. Lloyd Doggett — Breakfast

Nov. 15 — Jim Clyburn — Breakfast at Art & Soul

Nov. 15 — Xavier Becerra — Breakfast at National Democratic Club

Nov. 16 — Clyburn’s Leadership PAC – Breakfast

Nov. 16 — Clyburn hosting — Charles Rangel — Reception

Nov. 16 — Pat Toomey — 50th Birthday Party Reception (Reported by Politico)

Nov. 16 — Pat Toomey — Breakfast (Reported by National Journal)

Nov. 17 — Jon Kyl hosting — Sen. Orrin Hatch — Breakfast

Nov. 17 — Clyburn hosting — Suzanne Bonamici — Breakfast

correction: The original version of this post mistakenly said that a Sept. 14  fundraiser benefited Sen. Jon Kyl rather than Sen. Ron Johnson.

Update: The Oct. 4 fundraiser for Max Baucus has been canceled, Reuters reported.

With a special election a bit over two weeks away, the Republican vying to replace Anthony Weiner in Congress is looking to attract big money by holding two New York City fundraisers tomorrow.

According to invitations, Bob Turner’s first event woos donors with a VIP lunch reception at the Manhattan office of Sol Werdiger. Guests are asked to donate the maximum individual contribution of $2,500 or raise as much as $10,000. The second event, at a Brooklyn restaurant, requests as much as $2,500 per attendee.

The retired cable TV executive was also recently feted at the Harvard Club of New York City by former Mayor Ed Koch, a Democrat, and billionaire grocery-chain owner John Catsimatidis.

An early August poll had Turner within six points of his opponent, Assemblyman David Weprin, in New York’s Democratic-leaning Ninth District, which covers parts of Brooklyn and Queens. It was reported that Weprin was planning a fundraiser with Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver this month.

Weiner resigned in June after admitting sending lewd photos of himself to women over Twitter. Turner ran against Weiner in 2010, getting 39 percent of the vote despite being vastly outspent.

On September 1, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand plans to attend a fundraiser at a private home in the scenic Thousand Islands area of New York State hosted by more than a dozen people who are closely associated with the Thousand Islands Land Trust, a group that works to conserve public and private land.

In April, the senator signed on to legislation that would make permanent a tax deduction for individuals or corporations that agree to put aside land for conservation.  The lead sponsor on the bill, Sen. Max Baucus, D., Mont., is a member of the “super committee” that is charged with finding $1.5 trillion in cuts or revenues in the weeks ahead.

In 2006, Congress approved tax incentives for landowners who choose to turn their land over for conservation; these incentives, however, expire at the end of 2011.  The Senate bill would ease the tax strain on those with large tracts of property who pledge to land trusts because they are unable to afford its maintenance.  Under the proposal, landowners would be able to deduct up to half of their annual income and continue the same deduction for fifteen years.  Working farmers would be allowed to deduct 100% of their income over the same period.

“The tax incentive doesn’t buy the land outright, but it does give them some benefit for being sensitive to the environment and being concerned about conservation,” said Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) director Martin Yenawine.  “As a matter of public policy, I think it’s a pretty darn good idea.  However, there’s still a philanthropic thread to it.”

The bill is strongly supported by the Land Trust Alliance, under which TILT is listed as an accredited land trust. “The enhanced tax deduction for conservation easement donations has helped America’s land trusts work with farmers, ranchers and other modest-income landowners to increase the pace of conservation by a third to over a million acres a year!” reads a statement on the website.

Another New York accredited land trust, Columbia Land Conservancy, has expressed its appreciation to Gillibrand in regards to the bill and encourages supporters to reach out to Sen. Charles Schumer, also of New York, for additional support.

All but one of the hosts listed on the invitation are donors or members of TILT.

They have pledged to the trust anywhere from $100 for the distinction of a “Family/Individual” mention, to upwards of $5,000 for a “Friends of the Land” credit.  Many of the hosts have also served on the board of the organization.

People intending the Gillibrand fundraiser are encouraged to donate $1,000 to host, $500 per couple, and $350 per individual.

Several hosts are regular donors to Gillibrand. Daniel J. French and his wife, Kelly are listed on the invitation.  French donated nearly $5,000 to Gillibrand last year, and has donated towards her campaigns since 2008.  Mark Purcell, of Purcell Construction, which is based in Watertown, NY, is also a longtime political donor.  He donated to Gillibrand in 2009, but donates regularly to both parties.  Eric and Judy Mower have donated to both Gillibrand and local congressman, Democrat Rep. Bill Owens.

In an interview with Party Time, Yenawine said that the group had no formal relationship with Gillibrand and said that as an organization it would not make a public statement in appreciation of a legislator’s support.  “We don’t advocate like that.  But if I see them, I’ll say hey, thanks,” he said.

Windpower a potential cause for friction

TILT is less happy, along with other interests in the Thousand Island area, about the prospect of promoting wind power in the region, a cause that Gillibrand champions.

A deal between politicians and wind development companies drew controversy at local government meetings, and outcry from residents who felt that wind development was taking advantage of the community.

TILT’s official position, as outlined on its website, states that “the mission of TILT is to conserve the natural beauty, wildlife habitats and recreational opportunities of the Thousand Islands region; TILT is therefore opposed to the siting of industrial wind turbines within the viewshed of the St. Lawrence River and its tributaries in the Thousand Islands region.”

Yenawine said, “The single biggest economic driver for the north country is our natural beauty and the wildlife habitats.  Anything that inhibits that would obviously cause our concern.”

Yenawine also expressed doubt that wind proposals would benefit the unique economy of the Thousand Islands area.  “We don’t believe that the economics for wind are very sound.  Tax subsidies are the only thing that make it work,” he said.  “We are concerned that in the aftermath, once the tax benefits and equipment is exhausted, who is going to take it down?”

A member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Gillibrand has long supported tax cuts and education in wind power.  In July 2010, Gillibrand and fellow New York Senator Charles Schumer announced a $400,000 renewable energy training program at Hudson Valley Community College that would create approximately 100 jobs in the region.

Most recently, Gillibrand’s “Made In America” grant have provided funding to areas of “advanced manufacturing.” The grants would be further bolstered by the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit, which provides a 30 percent credit for domestic companies that manufacture clean energy products, including wind turbines.

Region is beautiful—and elite

Known for its pristine archipelago of islands, the Thousand Islands region is home to the Thousand Islands Bridge, which serves as a major artery between Canada and the United States.  It is a prime location for tourism and fishing industries that rely on the abundant waterways of the St. Lawrence River.

Not just a name for salad dressing, the area has long been known for its elite reputation.  Local landmarks include Boldt Castle and Singer Castle, giant mansions that were built at the turn of the century while the area was a prime resort destination.  The Yale secret society of Skull and Bones, which boasts such prominent alumni as Presidents William Howard Taft, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Sen. John Kerry, also owns a retreat on Deer Island.

At least five members of the congressional Super Committee tasked with reducing the nation’s deficit are scheduled to hold or host fundraisers just as the panel will be beginning its work.

The lawmakers are Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who is co-chairing the panel, and Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., along with Reps. James Clyburn, D-S.C., Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., and Dave Camp, R-Mich.

Murray, also the head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, is set to host a reception on Sept. 13—just days before the deadline for the committee to hold its first meeting.

A few weeks later, as the panel continues meeting, the compromise-seeking chair of the Senate Finance Committee Max Baucus has planned a fundraiser for his re-election. The event is hosted by the influential National Association of Realtors, a group that would fiercely fight any attempt by the powerful panel to cut the mortgage tax deduction, which was proposed by the Senate’s ‘Gang of Six,’ another recent group working on deficit reduction.

The NAR has spent over $10 million lobbying this year alone, the seventh highest sum among all organizations, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The association is the fourth highest political giver at the federal level since 1989, according to the CRP.

The 12-member committee has an unusual amount of power. Tasked with finding $1.2 trillion in deficit cuts, the panel has until before Thanksgiving to vote on a plan. If they agree to one, it would get fast-tracked through Congress—without the usual obstruction of procedural rules.

Clyburn, the House Assistant Minority Leader, is also headlining a fundraiser—benefiting Rep. Gabrille Giffords, D-Ariz.—just before the deadline for the panel’s first meeting.  On Sept. 7, the day the House reconvenes, Becerra, who also serves in the House Leadership, is using a Washington Nationals game to raise money for his leadership PAC. On the same day, Camp has planned a moneymaker, as first reported by Time Magazine.

In addition to Murray, the September DSCC fundraiser is also hosted by Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and other Senate Democrats. The autumn-themed event awards annual maxed-out donors (those giving $30,800 to the DSCC) with six tickets. Individual tickets can be had for $1,000.

That fundraiser is only one of a slew of fall events scheduled by the DSCC during the Super Committee’s deliberations. The group’s fall lineup includes at least six other fundraisers, and it’s not known if Murray will be attending any of those since very few details about the conference, retreat, brunch and other events are currently publicly known. Murray has headlined two other recent DSCC events, including one yesterday.

When the going gets tough, the politicians get going.  From both sides of the aisle, legislators are taking advantage of the summer recess to fundraise in more exotic locations than their usual haunts around the Beltway. While a completely comprehensive list is not available, more than two dozen events in the Party Time database are scheduled over the next few weeks.  It’s no secret that most legislators are using the opportunity to show off the best of their home states–at upscale resorts, sporting events and cocktail parties– at least to donors willing to pay top dollars.

Many Republicans will be heading out to the Wild West as they gear up for weekends of fishing and golf in the great outdoors.  Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, will be hosting his annual “Hook ‘N Bullet” fundraiser for his Freedom Fund PAC at Silver Springs Angus Ranch in Idaho.  Invitees are encouraged to “enjoy horseback riding, fly fishing, trap shooting…and the best BBQ in the west” for a price tag of $2,500 per person.

Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., will also be fundraising in his home state for his Making Business Excel PAC.  A “Day in the Tetons”, including fly-fishing and dinner, will set invitees back $2,500 per person, or $1,000 for dinner only.

In contrast, most Democrats will be heading to the cooler climates of the Northeast.  Rep. Bill Keating, D-Mass., is hosting a weekend trip to Nantucket.  Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., is planning a “Newport Summer Weekend”, including a private dinner at a “historic Newport Mansion” and a boat cruise.  A pair of tickets will cost $2,500.

However, Republicans haven’t claimed all of the fundraising West of the Mississippi.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., will be heading back to Nevada for a “Lake Tahoe Retreat”. For a $10,000 contribution, you can help Reid with the effort to reelect Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., as they battle for their seats in 2012. Donations will go to the Searchlight Tahoe Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee benefitting Nelson and Whitehouse.