The National Republican Senatorial Committee announced Tuesday it raised nearly $6.4 million in March — its best fundraising month of the midterm cycle so far.  

The monthly total boosted the NRSC’s fundraising in the first quarter of 2014 to more than $16.4 million. It ended March with about $15.9 million in cash on hand and no debt. NRSC Vice Chairman Rob Portman, R-Ohio, announced the numbers Tuesday at the Senate GOP’s weekly lunch, according to a release from the NRSC. In a statement, Portman called the fundraising total evidence that the party is “building momentum and that Republicans across the country are highly energized” — which the party needs in its effort to pick up a net six seats and win back the majority.  

“Thanks to the strong financial support of thousands of people and my GOP colleagues, great candidates across the map, and an optimistic agenda, Republicans are one step closer to bringing back the Senate this fall, but there is still work to be done,” Portman said.  

Through February, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee had outraised the NRSC by some $19 million for the cycle. The DSCC has not yet released its March fundraising numbers, which are due April 20 to the Federal Election Commission.