Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)

📌 Link to the Text of the Act

Read the statute (52 U.S.C. § 30101 et seq.)

📌 Why It Was Done

FECA was enacted to regulate campaign finance, requiring disclosure of contributions and expenditures, setting limits on donations, and establishing enforcement mechanisms.

📌 Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights

Earlier laws like the Tillman Act (1907) and the Federal Corrupt Practices Act (1925) attempted campaign finance reform but were weakly enforced. FECA created a comprehensive framework.

⚖️ Supreme Court rulings (*Buckley v. Valeo, 1976*; *Citizens United v. FEC, 2010*) have reshaped how FECA applies.

📌 Overreach or Proper Role?

Supporters say it promotes transparency and prevents corruption. Critics argue limits on spending and donations infringe on First Amendment rights.

📌 Who or What It Controls

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  Candidates and political campaigns (reporting and spending limits)
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  Political committees and PACs (regulated contributions and expenditures)
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  Federal Election Commission (FEC) (created in 1974 to enforce FECA)
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  Donors (subject to limits and disclosure requirements)

📌 Key Sections / Citations

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  52 U.S.C. § 30116: Contribution limits
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  52 U.S.C. § 30120: Disclaimer and disclosure requirements
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  52 U.S.C. § 30106: Establishment of the FEC

📌 Recent Changes or Live Controversies

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  Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA, 2002) banned soft money and limited issue ads
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  *Citizens United (2010)* and *McCutcheon (2014)* greatly weakened restrictions
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  Ongoing debates about dark money, Super PACs, and disclosure loopholes

📌 Official Sources

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  Congress.gov – FECA 1971
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  Federal Election Commission
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  52 U.S.C. § 30101 et seq. – Campaign Finance