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S 1219 - Campaign Finance Reform bill - National Key Vote

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Title: Campaign Finance Reform bill

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to invoke cloture on a bill that changes campaign finance laws, provides reduced broadcast and postage rates for candidates that abide by voluntary spending limits, and bans political action committee (PAC) contributions.

Highlights:

  • Creates voluntary spending limits which, if met, allows the candidate to receive free and reduced broadcast cable time and reduced postage prices.
  • Bans political action committees (PACs) from contributing to a Federal campaign, and restricts contributions from PACs if the ban is not in place.
  • Prohibits a national committee of a political party from soliciting or receiving soft money contributions for federal elections.
  • Requires all forms of political advertising to include the following statement: "XXXXX is responsible for the content of this advertisement," with the blank to be filled in by the person or committee paying for the advertisement.
  • Prohibits a member of Congress from sending out franked mail during a year in which he or she is running for an election.
  • Requires 60 percent of campaign contributions to come from a candidate's own state or district.
  • Limits personal candidate spending to $250,000 in an election cycle.
  • Excludes contributions made by a political committee of a political party and contributions by individuals significant in the candidate's campaign from counting as an “independent expenditure.”

NOTE: INVOKING CLOTURE REQUIRES A 3/5 MAJORITY OF THE SENATE. IT IS NOT A VOTE ON THE PASSAGE OF THE PIECE OF LEGISLATION, BUT LIMITS FURTHER DEBATE TO 30 HOURS. CLOTURE IS TYPICALLY USED TO END A FILIBUSTER. A FAILED CLOTURE VOTE OFTEN PREVENTS THE LEGISLATION FROM EVER COMING TO A VOTE.

Full Bill Text

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