Major Statutory Changes

Question 1

What is the Tillman Act (1907)

Answer 1

It bans political contributions to federal candidates and parties by banks and corporations chartered by the federal government

Question 2

When was the Tillman Act passed?

Answer 2

1907

Question 3

What did the Tillman Act (1907) not regulate?

Answer 3

State chartered corporations
Contributions to state and local elections

Question 4

Who sponsored the Tillman Act (1907)?

Answer 4

Ben “Pitchfork” Tillman

Question 5

Why was the Tillman Act (1907) created?

Answer 5

Tillman disliked Roosevelt & Roosevelt had received a large donation from a life insurance company

Question 6

What is the Smith-Connolly Act (1943)?

Answer 6

It banned unions from making political donations (using member dues)

Question 7

Could individual members of a union still donate under the Smith-Connolly Act (1943)?

Answer 7

Yes

Question 8

What is the result of the Smith-Connolly Act (1943)?

Answer 8

Political Actions Committees (PACs)

Question 9

What is the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) (1971)?

Answer 9

• Limits how much campaigns could spend
• Candidates could not offer employment or benefits in exchange for contributions
• Cap on how much a candidate could self-fund
• Candidates must disclose contributions and expenditures in excess of $100
• Name, Address, and Occupation of donors above $10

Question 10

Was there any limit on individual contributions under FECA (1971)?

Answer 10

No

Question 11

Why was FECA (1971) created?

Answer 11

The democrats had the congressional majority, however, the republicans had a massive fundraising advantage in the presidential election

Question 12

What is FECA (1974)?

Answer 12

Includes everything in FECA (1971), limits the amount of money an individual can donate to candidates and parties, and created the Federal Election Committee (FEC)

Question 13

Is there a limit on individual donations under FECA (1974)?

Answer 13

Yes

Question 14

Why was FECA (1974) created?

Answer 14

In response to the Watergate scandal

Question 15

What is the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) (2002)?

Answer 15

It ended “soft money” exemption for parties and raised party donation “hard” limit. It also expanded the definition of political advertising to electioneering communications

Question 16

Who sponsored the BCRA (2002)?

Answer 16

John McCain (R) and Russ Feingold (D)

Question 17

What is Electioneering Communications under BCRA (2002)?

Answer 17

Ads that refer to a candidate within 30 days of a primary election or within 60 days of a general election and target that candidates electorate

Question 18

What is soft money?

Answer 18

Soft money (sometimes called non-federal money) means contributions made outside the limits and prohibitions of federal law. This means that it is direct corporate and union contributions and large individual and PAC contributions.

Question 19

What is hard money?

Answer 19

Federally regulated campaign contributions and other moneys spent to influence the outcome of a federal election