Unit 2 Gov

BCRA of 2002 (McCain-Feingold Act)

Bi-Partisan Reform Act- Raised PAC limits and banned soft money to campaigns

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Corporations and unions cannot constitutionally be prohibited from promoting the election of one candidate over another candidate

DISCLOSE Act of 2010

Failed in Congress. Attempted to require full disclosure of individual donors to campaigns

FECA of 1972/74

Federal Election Campaign Act- Required the open submission of all campaign spending to the FEC. Massive growth in the PACs after this limits individuals.

FEC

Federal election commission- All campaign funding must be reported to this commission on a monthly basis

Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

Limits on individual donations are not a violation of the First Amendment. Limits an individual candidate's donations to their own campaign are unconstitutional.

Hard Money

Money contributed directly to political candidates and their campaigns

Soft Money

Money used to support or oppose candidates outside of the candidates' control

PAC

Political action committees- Raise money for political campaigns on behalf of interest groups (issue advocacy)

Super PACs

can raise money and spend money independent of the campaigns. Technically known as "independent expenditure-only committees, super PACs may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations, and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates.