Campaign Finance Reform Government Web sites

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between hard money and soft money. Do you get confused trying to understand how much financing a political candidate is allowed to accept from PACs, corporations and individuals? What about the question of publicly funded political campaigns? If these questions baffle you, you're not alone. For nearly 100 years, our government has grappled with the issues of campaign financing. If you're interested in learning more, please examine some of the links below to find out what your government is doing to stop (or at least lessen) the outrageous spending that goes on when a campaign is in full swing. I've included links to all three branches, government agencies, and political watchdog groups. Read on and find out what all the fuss is about.

Executive Branch

The Department of Justice - The department of Justice investigates and prosecutes violators of the existing laws regarding campaign finance reform.  Use their search engine to find out who's been naughty!

The Federal Bureau of Investigation - If you suspect someone of engaging in corrupt political financing, you can contact the FBI. The FBI also has digitized many of their case files, so if you're looking for information regarding a specific campaign violation, you might try here.

The Internal Revenue Service - The IRS has a plethora of information on tax exemption and campaign financing.  In addition, you can check out the new forms regarding the full disclosure of political contributions called the Political Organization Report of Contributions and Expenditures - section 527 of the internal revenue code.

The Treasury Department - The Treasury department deals in all matter of taxes.  That includes PAC's, corporations, charities and individuals who wish to donate money to politicians.  This site is particularly helpful if you are interested in finding out about contributions and taxes.

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Judicial Branch

Findlaw - Findlaw is the leading Internet search portal for locating all kinds of governmental information regarding the law.  Findlaw also has the full text of supreme court opinions.  This site is used and endorsed by both the Library of Congress and the Federal Judiciary system.   Listed below are just a few of the Supreme Court cases that deal with the constitutionality of Federal Campaign Financing.

•     Burroughs v. U.S 290 U.S. 534 (1934) Congressional power to regulate campaigns

•     Buckley v Valeo 424 U.S. 1 (1976) Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971

•     FEC v National Conservative Political Action Committee 470 U.S. 480 (1985)

Legislation and the Legislative Branch

House Committee on Government Reform - Chaired by Republican Dan Burton, this committee also investigated the campaign issues surrounding the 1996 Presidential election.  Scroll down to the bottom of the page for links to information.

House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct - This committee regulates and oversees the ethical conduct of its members.  Check out the Ethics manuals for the do's and don'ts of campaigning as regulated by their own members.

House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight - This house subcommittee deals mainly with tax issues. One issue they are currently dealing with is the revision to the tax code regarding the Disclosure of Political Activities of Tax-Exempt Organizations. They also explored "H.R. 4717, - the Full and Fair Political Activity Disclosure Act of 2000". This House sponsored bill recently signed into law on July 1, 2000, (Public Law No. 106-230), is "To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require 527 organizations to disclose their political activities" (see IRS forms).

Library of Congress Thomas Web site - This site contains a great search function to locate congressional legislation.  It's a wonderful site if you are interested in any pending bills regarding campaign finance reform not mentioned in this guide.

The McCain Feingold Bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to provide bipartisan campaign reform. This has been a hotly contested bill recently, particularly in light of the 2000 presidential campaign elections.  Sponsored by Senator's John McCain and Russ Feingold, the bill has been shot down several times, even with the amendments by Senator Tom Daschle. Keep your eye on this bill.

Senate Governmental Affairs Committee - In 1997, this senate committee explored the campaign finance issues that occurred during the 1996 Presidential Election.  This web site contains the full special report and additional witness testimony.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison - In May, Ms. Hutchison sponsored a bill to place restrictions on the political activities of PACs and Unions called the S.2565 "Campaign Finance Reform Disclosure Act of 2000"  Like many bills of this nature, not much has happened since its introduction.

Senator Chuck Hagel - Here's another Campaign Finance Reform bill that came and went. Mr. Hagel's bill, S.1816 "The Open and Accountable Campaign Financing Act of 2000", seems to have disappeared along with many other Campaign Reform Bills.  Hmmm, makes you wonder?

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Other Agencies

U.S. Office of Special Council - This independent agency assists federal workers who wish to "blow the whistle" on their employers. This includes misappropriation of funds and illegal campaign financing.

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Citizen and Watchdog Groups

Campaign Reform Project - According to their mission statement "the Campaign Reform Project is a nonprofit organization that strives to educate the business community about the importance of reforming campaign finance laws as a means of revitalizing the country's democratic processes and promoting business."

Center for Responsive Politics - The CRP's web site "opensecrets.org" has great information on who's giving the money and who's getting the money in politics.  You can even find out who's giving money to your local representative.

Citizens for True Democracy - This organization advocates fair election principles and attempts to outline the problems with the political campaign system.

Public Campaign - Public Campaign is a group that advocates the use of public funds for political campaign finance. According to the group's belief, without full public funding, America will continue to have a corrupt political system.

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This site was constructed on October 4, 2000.  For more information please contact Maureen Clements at moesy.mindspring.com