1. + Campaign Finance Reform

2. + A. 1970s – Federal Election Campaign Acts (FECA) Created Federal Election Commission (FEC) to watchdog campaign spending. Interest Groups must form Political Action Committees (PACs) to spend on campaigns.

3. + A. 1970s – Federal Election Campaign Acts (FECA) Established limits on “hard money” contributions. Individual Candidate $1000 (primary) $1000 (general election)

4. + A. 1970s – Federal Election Campaign Acts (FECA) Interest Group Candidate $5000 (primary) $5000 (general election) Lots of small contributors instead of a few big ones.

5. + A. 1970s – Federal Election Campaign Acts (FECA) Loopholes: 1) Rich Individual candidate. 2) “Soft Money” Political Parties. 3) Independent Expenditure Ads.

6. + B. McCain-Feingold Act (2002) Formal Name: Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) Individual Candidate $2000/primary $2000/general election (Indexed for inflation.)

7. + B. McCain-Feingold Act (2002) 1) Millionaire’s Amendment. Higher contribution limits for opponents of rich, self-funded candidates. 2) Individual Political Party $ 25,000/year

8. + B. McCain-Feingold Act (2002) 3) Blackout periods on Independent Ads: -- 30 days before primary. -- 60 days before general election. Only “hard money” ads allowed.

9. + C. Court challenges to BCRA McConnell v. FEC (2003). 5-4 decision w/ Sandra Day O’Connor as swing vote upholding BCRA.

10. + C. Court challenges to BCRA Roberts/Alito Court: FEC v. WRTL. Davis v. FEC. Citizen’s United v. FEC. RNC v. FEC.