"It's one thing about union resources," Mr. Penn said.

It's a waste of union resources.

Liam Fox backs rightwing campaign to undermine union resources 3.

Representative Peter Hoekstra, a Michigan Republican who is the point man in Congress on the funding issue, criticized Mr. Cherkasky for not having set up stricter controls to stop teamster officials from using union resources to support their candidates.

Clearly, national union resources on their own will not be sufficient to deal with this problem.

Second, such critics argue that comprehensive campaigns waste valuable union resources by engaging in costly litigation.

In a telephone interview, Mr. Hoekstra said he was reluctant to make money available because Mr. Cherkasky, in his view, has not done enough to stop teamster officials from using union resources and money to help their preferred candidates.

Mr. Cherkasky has said that he has no power to suspend Mr. Sever and that he was already working hard to prevent the misuse of union resources in the campaign.

The oversight board accused Mr. Rumore of misappropriating union resources by ordering business agents to drive his father, Louis, to medical appointments.

In April 2009, Wilhelm formally charged Raynor of using union resources to support the disaffiliation movement.