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H.R.1396 / 103rd Congress

House of Representatives Election Campaign Reform Act of 1993

Referred to the Subcommittee on Postal Operations and Services.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 18, 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Expenditure Limitations, Contribution Limitations, Matching Funds, Reduced Third-Class Mail Rate, and Reduced Broadcast Rates for Eligible House of Representatives Candidates Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 House of Representatives Election Campaign Reform Act of 1993 - Title I: Expenditure Limitations, Contribution Limitations, Matching Funds, Reduced Third-Class Mail Rate, and Reduced Broadcast Rates for Eligible House of Representatives Candidates - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to provide for expenditure limitations, contribution limitations, and matching funds for eligible House of Representatives (House) candidates. Directs the Federal Election Commission (Commission) to randomly examine ten percent of House candidates to determine eligibility compliance. Subjects any related Commission activity to judicial review. (Sec. 103) Amends Federal law to extend reduced third-class mailing rates to House candidates. (Sec. 104) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a broadcast station to make broadcast time available to all House and Senate candidates in the last 30 (currently 45) days before a primary and the last 45 (currently 60) days before a general election, at the lowest unit charge of the station for the same amount of time (currently, the same class and amount of time) for the same period on the same date. Prohibits a licensee from preempting broadcast time purchased by a qualified candidate unless such preemption is due to circumstances beyond the broadcasting station's control. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to limit specified contributions used by a House candidate for legal, accounting, and tax costs. (Sec. 202) Subjects certain independent expenditures to reporting requirements. (Sec. 203) Redefines "independent expenditure." (Sec. 204) Limits individual and multicandidate committee (PAC) contributions to a State political party committee. Increases overall individual contribution limits by a specified amount of such contributions. (Sec. 205) Limits State committee expenditures in connection with presidential campaigns. Sets forth limitations and reporting requirements for amounts received or expended for mixed political activities ("soft money"). (Sec. 206) Sets forth limitations on fundraising activities of Federal candidates and officeholders and certain political committees, including certain tax-exempt organizations. (Sec. 207) Sets forth reporting requirements with respect to: (1) political committees; (2) exempt contributions; (3) exempt expenditures; (4) contributions and expenditures of political committees; and (5) State committees. (Sec. 208) Delineates circumstances where a person's contribution shall be considered as being made through an intermediary or a conduit (and therefore treated as contributions from such person). (Sec. 209) Treats contributions by dependents not of voting age as contributions of the persons upon whom they are dependent. (Sec. 210) Aggregates, for contribution limit purposes, contributions from State and local party committees with all contributions from such political party. (Sec. 211) Prohibits Federal candidates from establishing leadership committees. (Sec. 212) Reduces the reporting threshold amount for identification of contributors other than political committees. (Sec. 213) Requires the Commission to maintain computerized indices of contributions of $50 or more. (Sec. 214) Authorizes random audits by the Commission. (Sec. 215) Expresses the sense of the House regarding a parallel system of Senate campaign financing.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Beilenson, Anthony C. [D-CA-24] · D–CA

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Post Office and Civil Service Committee
  • Committee on House Administration
3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Postal Operations and Services.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.

  3. Referred to the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service.

  4. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

  5. Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

  6. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E686-687)

  7. Introduced in House

  8. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Aug 26, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1396 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.1396 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.1396 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1396 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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