Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA)

Definition

The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA), also known as McCain-Feingold, is a federal law enacted in 2002 aimed at regulating campaign financing by prohibiting soft money contributions and restricting the use of issue advocacy ads. The law sought to reduce the influence of money in politics and enhance transparency in political funding, particularly concerning political action committees (PACs) and super PACs, which play significant roles in campaign financing.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The BCRA was signed into law by President George W. Bush on March 27, 2002.
2. The act banned the national parties from raising or spending soft money, which previously allowed for large contributions unregulated by federal limits.
3. The BCRA also introduced stricter rules regarding the timing and disclosure of political advertising before elections.
4. One of the significant impacts of the BCRA was the rise of super PACs, which emerged in response to the restrictions placed on traditional PACs and party fundraising.
5. In 2010, the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC further weakened the BCRA by allowing unlimited independent expenditures from corporations and unions.

Review Questions

• How did the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) change the landscape of campaign financing in the United States?
  • The BCRA significantly changed campaign financing by banning soft money contributions to national political parties and imposing stricter regulations on the use of issue advocacy ads. This aimed to curb the influence of large donations on political outcomes and ensure greater transparency in funding sources. However, its passage led to the emergence of super PACs, which can raise unlimited funds independently, thus complicating the original goals of the BCRA.
• Discuss the implications of the BCRA on Political Action Committees (PACs) and how it influenced their operations post-enactment.
  • After the enactment of the BCRA, traditional PACs faced limitations on contributions and had to navigate new regulations on fundraising. The act restricted soft money contributions and required greater disclosure of financial sources. In response, many contributors shifted their focus towards creating super PACs that could raise unlimited funds independently. This shift highlighted a loophole in the BCRA's intentions, demonstrating how organizations adapted to circumvent its restrictions while still influencing election outcomes.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the BCRA on American electoral politics, especially considering court rulings like Citizens United v. FEC.
  • The long-term effects of the BCRA on American electoral politics have been complex and somewhat counterproductive to its original goals. While it aimed to reduce the influence of money in politics and increase transparency, subsequent court rulings such as Citizens United v. FEC have essentially invalidated many of its provisions by allowing unlimited independent expenditures. This has led to an influx of outside spending through super PACs, which has arguably increased the power of money in elections rather than diminishing it, creating a new landscape where wealthy donors can exert significant influence over political campaigns.

Related terms

Soft Money: Funds raised by political parties for purposes not directly tied to supporting a specific candidate, which are not subject to federal limits.

Political Action Committee (PAC): An organization that collects and distributes contributions to political candidates and parties, often representing business, labor, or ideological interests.

Super PAC: A type of independent political action committee that can raise unlimited sums from corporations, unions, and individuals to advocate for or against political candidates.