PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

Senate Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform Act of 1995

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

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Nov 3, 1995

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Senate Election Spending Limits and Benefits Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions Senate Campaign Spending Limit and Election 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 voluntary spending limits and benefits, including primary and runoff expenditure limits and primary and general election filing requirements. Sets limits on the use of personal funds and general election expenditures. Entitles complying candidates to specified broadcast discounts and free time and postage reductions. Directs the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to certify each candidate's eligibility for free broadcast time under the Communications Act of 1934 within 48 hours after a candidate qualifies for a general election ballot. Sets forth provisions regarding FEC determinations, excess payments and revocation of status, and civil penalties for misuse of benefits. (Sec. 103) Amends the Communications Act 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: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends FECA to require a candidate, after qualifying for the primary, to declare if he or she intends to spend more than $250,000 of his or her own funds (i.e., personal funds, funds of the candidate's immediate family, and personal loans incurred by the candidate and the candidate's family in connection with the election campaign) in the election and if so, raises the contribution limits on his or her opponent from $1,000 to $5,000. Removes his or her opponents' contribution limit entirely if a candidate declares that he or she will spend more than $1 million of his or her own funds. (Sec. 202) Prohibits the personal use of campaign funds. (Sec. 203) Sets forth political advertising provisions for print broadcast or cablecast communications.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] · D–CA

Committees

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  8. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S16657-16659)

  9. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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.

Explore the bill from different angles

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.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.1389 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.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.1389 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.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.1389 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.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.1389 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.

View full prompt & sources