On the Issues

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

On March 27, 2002, the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act (BCRA) became law. Senator Levin believes this was one of the most important reforms in how we elect our government since he came to the Senate and he was proud to be a cosponsor of this bill.

Prior to BCRA, loopholes in campaign finance law had been used to such an extent that they overtook legal contribution limits. The biggest loophole that BCRA sought to close was the "soft money" loophole that allowed any individual, union or corporation to give an unlimited amount of money to a political party.

Soft money is money raised and spent on campaigns that is over and above (or outside) the limits set by the law. According to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Republicans raised over $244 million in soft money for the 2000 election -- an increase of over 73 percent over the same period in 1995-96. The Democrats raised over $243 million in soft money -- an increase of over 99 percent.

BCRA was intended to eliminate these large contributions. The law requires that sham issue ads by unions and corporations be paid for with contributions subject to the limits, and that non-profit organizations disclose major contributors to issue ads they run. It also increases the amount individuals can give to a federal candidate.

In December 2003, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the BCRA’s soft money ban in McConnell v. FEC. The decision was a sweeping victory for campaign finance reform and the American people. In upholding BCRA's bans on soft money and sham issue ads, the Court took a major step toward taking the unseemly race for big bucks out of the campaign system and preserving the American public's right to truth in advertising. By allowing wealthy individuals, unions and corporations to make unlimited contributions to political parties and buy access to people in power, the soft money loophole in particular contributed to a loss of public trust in both the election process and government itself. The Court's decision provides hope for restoring that trust.

RELATED LINKS

  • Section-by-section analysis    This link takes you to a complete summary of the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act.
  • Federal Election Commission    Administers and enforces the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) - the statute that governs the financing of federal elections.

  • Brennan Center for Justice, Campaign Finance Page   Provides resources on campaign finance, including links, op-eds, and press releases.
  • Public Agenda  Provides an overview on campaign finance reform and includes a section discussing the public opinion on the issue.
  • Hoover Institute   Provides a wide range of information on the topic, including history, Supreme Court cases, reform proposals and reform legislation.
  • The Campaign Finance Institute   Overviews reform legislation currently in the House and Senate and provides summaries of the legislation.

 

Senate Chamber

RELATED NEWS
Levin Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Soft Money Ban - Dec 10, 2003
The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 - Mar 27, 2002
Statement of Senator Carl Levin On Campaign Finance Reform - Mar 20, 2002
Levin Receives Ethics Award from Council on Governmental Ethics Laws - Dec 6, 2001

LEGISLATION

View the list of bills sponsored or co-sponsored by Senator Levin.
Legislation - View the list of bills sponsored or cosponsored by Senator Levin.

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