Understanding the Evolution of Campaign Finance Reform in the United States
Explore the history and milestones of campaign finance reform in the US, starting from the early years to post-Watergate legislation. Learn about key acts, such as the Hatch Act, Taft-Hartley Act, and the Federal Election Campaign Act, shaping the current landscape. Understand why campaign financing is essential and how regulations have evolved over time to address concerns regarding contributions, disclosures, and spending limits.
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Presentation Transcript
Bell ringer Bypassing Campaign Contribution Regulation warm up
Linkage Institutions 2014 Elections & Campaigns, Political Parties, Interest Groups
Today we will Objectives/ Agenda Agenda Examine progress on campaign finance reform. 1. The Cost of Campaigns video Slide notes review Matching activity Quiz HW- Ch. 7 reading questions 2. 3. 4. 5.
Fred Wertheimer in NYTimes Video: The Cost of Campaigns | Democracy21Democracy21
Why do we need campaign financing? 1913 17th Amendment 1920 19th Amendment Direct election of Senators. Women's Suffrage. Expansion of the electorate & importance of the common voter to the overall process
The Early Years 1939 Hatch Act federal candidates from federal workers and contractors & limited individual contributions to $5,000 per year. 1944 CIO forms first PAC first Political Action Committee (PAC) funded through voluntary contributions and not union treasury funds. 1947 Taft-Hartley Act Permanent ban on contributions to federal candidates from unions, corporations, and interstate banks. Congress prohibited contributions to The CIO (union) formed the
Leading to Watergate 1971 Revenue Act Established the public financing system for qualifying presidential candidates Paid for by the voluntary $1.00 check off on income tax forms. Also provided $50.00 tax deduction for individual contributions (ended 1978) or $12.50 tax credit, raised to $50.00 in 1978 and eliminated in 1986). 1971 FECA (Federal Elections Campaign Act) Required full and timely disclosures, limited some contributions, capped spending, and permitted unions and corporations to form PACs.
POST - Watergate. 1974 Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) After the Nixon Watergate scandal Congress creates the FEC to enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act provisions. Creates $1,000 individual contribution limit and a $5,000 PAC limit.
Challenges to FECA 1976 Buckley v. Valeo - Supreme Court ruling that mandatory spending limits violate free speech mandates. 1979 FECA Amendments- Package of amendments to the election campaign act allows the use of donations to political parties rather than candidates (soft money) LOOPHOLE!
BCRA McCain-Feingold Law 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act Sponsored by Senators Russell Feingold (D-WI) & John McCain (R-AZ). Revised some of the legal limits of expenditure set in 1974, and prohibited unregulated contributions (soft money) to national political parties. Also defined political ads as "electioneering communications" prohibiting any such ad paid for by a corporation or paid for by an unincorporated entity using any corporate or union funds
BCRA is Upheld. 2003 Supreme Court Upholds BCRA McConnell v FEC A divided Supreme Court upholds the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, which had been challenged by both parties. The decision preserved the soft money ban and restrictions on political ads, which were the most significant parts of the law.
BCRA is dismantled. The Super PAC is born. 2012 Citizens United v. FEC The ruling allows corporations and unions to advocate for or against candidates at any time. Two months later, in Speechnow.org v. FEC, an appeals court strikes down limits on contributions to independent-expenditure shops. American Crossroads - American Crossroads Restore Our Future Home - Priorities USA Action No limitations on independent expenditures
Matching Activity Match the clues with each of the years.
FRQ Use your notes to answer the FRQ. This is your quiz .
