PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the House Committee on House Oversight.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 21, 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Control of House of Representatives Campaign Spending Title II: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Parties Title III: Independent Expenditures Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions Title V: Effective Date Campaign Finance System Reform Act - Title I: Control of House of Representatives Campaign Spending - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to prohibit House of Representatives candidates from accepting contributions from: (1) multicandidate political committees (PACs) and other sources except individuals; or (2) persons other than individual residents of the candidate's congressional district. (Sec. 103) Establishes expenditure and contribution limitations for House of Representatives candidates. Sets forth special rules (and exceptions) governing: (1) expenditures in runoff, special, and closely contested primary elections and expenditures for fund raising activities; and (2) contributions in runoff elections, transfers of contributions to later election cycles, and contributions from the personal funds of the candidate. Title II: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Parties - Amends FECA to limit the amount of annual contributions individuals and PACs may make to political committees established and maintained by a State committee of a political party (political party committees). Increases the overall limit on individual contributions. (Sec. 202) Limits State party committee expenditures in connection with the general election campaign of a candidate for President affiliated with such party. Subjects to FECA reporting requirements any amount received or expended by party committees (including "soft money") with respect to a Federal election. Prohibits (with exceptions) national party committees from accepting or soliciting contributions not subject to FECA requirements. Limits the amount of annual expenditures national, State, and local party committees may make each year for specified election related activities. (Sec. 203) Limits fund raising activities of Federal candidates and officeholders and certain political committees. (Sec. 204) Revises national and State party committee reporting requirements. Title III: Independent Expenditures - Amends FECA to revise the definitions of independent expenditure and contribution. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Expresses the sense of the Congress that House candidates should comply with the contribution and expenditure limitations added by this Act. Title V: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
People & committees
Rep. Costello, Jerry F. [D-IL-12] · D–IL
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Referred to the House Committee on House Oversight.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.462 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.
Examine H.R.462 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.
Examine H.R.462 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.
Examine H.R.462 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.