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Senate Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1995

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 456.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Sep 7, 1995

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Senate Election Spending Limits and Benefits Title II: Reduction of Special Interest Influence Subtitle A: Elimination of Political Action Committees From Federal Election Activities Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Parties Subtitle C: Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties Subtitle D: Contributions Subtitle E: Additional Contribution Limits Subtitle F: Independent Expenditures Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Senate Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1995 - Title I: Senate Election Spending Limits and Benefits - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to set forth Senate election spending limits and benefits. Entitles complying candidates to specified: (1) broadcast discounts and free time; and (2) postage reductions. (Sec. 103) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) provide for preemption only in situations beyond a station's control; and (2) extend the license revocation provision for failure to provide access to cable systems. Title II: Reduction of Special Interest Influence - Subtitle A: Elimination of Political Action Committees From Federal Election Activities - Amends FECA to prohibit Federal election activities by political action committees (as defined by this Act). States that if such ban is not in effect: (1) a committee's contributions to a candidate shall not exceed limits applicable to an individual; and (2) a candidate may not accept more than 20 percent of contributions from committee sources. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Parties - Amends FECA to set forth soft money contribution and reporting provisions. Subtitle C: Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties - Amends FECA to set forth reporting requirements for persons other than political parties (with exceptions for candidate's authorized committees or independent expenditures) who disburse more than $2000 for political activities. Subtitle D: Contributions - Amends FECA to set forth conditions under which contributions to a candidate made by a person through an intermediary or conduit shall be treated as having come from the person or from the intermediary. Subtitle E: Additional Prohibitions on Contributions - Requires candidates to raise at least 60 percent of their contributions from in-State individuals in order to be in FECA compliance. Subtitle F: Independent Expenditures - Amends FECA to redefine "independent expenditure." Includes within the definition of "contribution" certain expenditures containing express advocacy made by a candidate or candidate's representative. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends FECA to prohibit the personal use of campaign funds. (Sec. 302) Sets forth political advertising provisions for print and broadcast or cablecast communications. (Sec. 303) Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to: (1) prescribe regulations for computer and facsimile reporting; and (2) conduct random post-election audits to ensure voluntary FECA compliance. (Sec. 305) Prohibits franked mass mailings by a Member in his or her election year (unless such Member will not be a candidate for any Federal office). (Sec. 306) Grants the Commission injunctive relief authority. (Sec. 308) Provides for direct appeal to the United States Supreme Court from any judicial ruling on the constitutionality of any provision of this Act. (Sec. 309) Revises certain political committee reporting requirements.

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Who introduced it

Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ] · R–AZ

Committees

  • Rules and Administration Committee
18 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 456.

  2. Cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 54-46. Record Vote No: 168. (consideration: CR S6817)

    Senate roll call 168 · Individual votes
  3. Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6761-6817)

  4. Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6680-6718)

  5. Cloture motion presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S6630)

  6. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6630)

  7. Senate Committee on Rules discharged by Unanimous Consent.

  8. Senate Committee on Rules discharged by Unanimous Consent.

  9. Committee on Rules and Administration. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 104-542.

  10. Committee on Rules and Administration. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 104-542.

  11. Committee on Rules and Administration. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 104-542.

  12. Committee on Rules and Administration. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 104-542.

  13. Committee on Rules and Administration. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 104-542.

  14. Committee on Rules and Administration. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 104-542.

  15. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules.

  16. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12831-12832)

  17. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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