WASHINGTON - Legislation authored by U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) that would terminate taxpayer financing of party conventions passed the House on a wide, bipartisan margin.

The lower chamber voted 310-95 in favor of a measure. The Fourth District Republican authored a similar bill passed in January 2011 that would end all public funding for presidential campaigns, including conventions.

Cole said since 1976, over $220 million in taxpayer funds have been spent on presidential nominating conventions for such expenses as make-up artists, political consulting fees, gift bags, and banners.

The legislation now moves to the Senate, which approved a similar policy in June by a vote of 95-4 as an amendment to the Farm Bill.