The group tasked with electing Democrats to the House of Representatives said Monday it broke fund-raising records in the third quarter of 2011, bringing in $35.1 million over the past three months, ahead of their Republican rivals.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raised $15.3 in September, putting them $2.9 million ahead of the National Republican Congressional Committee's haul of $12.4 million.

The DCCC said their cash on hand at the end of September was $26.4 million. That was behind the NRCC, which ended September with $29.5 million in the bank.

Neither committee reported carrying any debt.

"The DCCC continues to lead the NRCC with a record outpouring of grassroots support fueling our campaign," Rep. Steve Israel, chairman of the DCCC, wrote in a statement. "Voters are dedicating their voices, their volunteer hours and their donations to firing this Tea Party Congress that protects millionaires and special interests at the expense of Medicare and the middle class."