WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts, defended himself from critics Sunday who suggest he needs to donate his campaign war chest to help Democrats retake control of Congress, noting that he is responsible for $11 million in contributions to candidates this election cycle.

"I've been campaigning with candidates and for candidates," Kerry said in an interview on ABC's 'This Week.' "I've been raising money for candidates and have given money to candidates. I've raised and given over $11 million to candidates, $3.5 million to my Senate colleagues alone, $2.5 million, I think, to the House candidates (and) millions of dollars to party members and others."

The Massachusetts senator added, "And it costs money to do that. We have to -- we're spending down. Unlike some folks who are out there raising money for themselves, out of cycle, I have not been doing that."

Kerry came under attack last week when an anonymous website, heyjohn.org, sought to pressure the 2004 presidential nominee into parting with his money.