Although federal statutes forbid partisan lobbying by unions, the AFL-CIO will spend millions of dollars this year - more than in any previous year - to unseat Republicans.

• It will dump $35 million into a crusade to defeat 75 GOP House members.

• It also plans to dispatch 300 well-trained political operatives immediately to the targeted districts - and another 2,500 or so before election day.

• It has been estimated that in-kind union aid could provide between $300 million and $500 million to Democrats.

Some two-thirds of the $35 million comes from a special tax imposed on union members last month - many of whom favor Republican candidates.

• Some 40 percent of all people represented by a labor organization pulled the GOP lever in 1994.

• Internal union polls show that members care primarily about three issues - gun ownership, welfare reform and lower taxes - all Republican issues.