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Voter Empowerment Act of 1999

Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 6, 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Promoting Disclosure of Information on Campaign Spending Title II: Encouraging Participation in Campaigns Title III: Reform of Federal Election Commission Subtitle A: Enforcement of Federal Campaign Laws by Attorney General Subtitle B: Facilitating Dissemination of Information Title IV: Termination of Presidential Election Campaign Fund Voter Empowerment Act of 1999 - Title I: Promoting Disclosure of Information on Campaign Spending - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require disclosure to the Federal Election Commission of: (1) expenditures in excess of specified amounts for issue advocacy communications (as described by this Act); (2) expenditures in excess of specified amounts for certain permissible activities of banks, corporations, and labor unions; and (3) State or local political party expenditure information required to be reported under State or local law. (Sec. 104) Requires: (1) (currently authorizes) certain filings with the Commission to be done electronically; (2) such information to be made available on the Internet and at Commission offices. Permits Commission waiver of specified acquisition rules to expedite electronic access. (Sec. 105) Revises specified reporting provisions. (Sec. 106) Waives the "best effort" political committee compliance standard with respect to the identification of annual contributors of more than $200. (Sec. 107) Requires disclosure to the Commission by a contributor to a political committee of a national party, and by such committee, with respect to annual amounts of $250,000 or more. Title II: Encouraging Participation in Campaigns - Amends the Act to set forth contribution indexing provisions. (Sec. 202) Permits trade association corporate members to approve contribution solicitations by more than one trade association. (Sec. 203) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual tax credit of up to $200 ($400 joint) for one-half of the Federal political contributions made during the taxable year. Title III: Reform of Federal Election Commission - Subtitle A: Enforcement of Federal Campaign Laws by Attorney General - Directs the Attorney General to establish an office within the Department of Justice to enforce specified election provisions under the Act and the Internal Revenue Code. (Sec. 302) Terminates Commission enforcement authority. (Sec. 303) Reduces Commission membership upon establishment of such enforcement office. Subtitle B: Facilitating Dissemination of Information - Amends the Act to direct the Commission to: (1) maintain an index of advisory opinions and provide written responses to questions; and (2) publish the names of candidates whose authorized committees have accepted prohibited contributions. Title IV: Termination of Presidential Election Campaign Fund - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate: (1) the Presidential Election Campaign Fund; (2) the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account; and (3) the designation of income tax payments for presidential elections.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Dreier, David [R-CA-28] · R–CA

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
  • Ways and Means Committee
  • Committee on House Administration
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  2. Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  3. Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  5. Introduced in House

  6. 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 20, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.32 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

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.32 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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