House of Representatives Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform Act of 1991

Summary

House of Representatives Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform Act of 1991 - Title I: Expenditure Limitations, Contribution Limitations, Matching Funds, and Reduced Third-Class Mail Rate for Eligible House of Representatives Candidates - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to set forth limitations regarding House of Representatives election expenditures, contributions, and matching funds. Limits aggregate contributions received and expenditures made by an eligible House of Representatives candidate in an election cycle to $600,000, with specified additional limitations in general, special, and runoff elections. Establishes the Make Democracy Work Fund (the Fund) for payment of funds and initial expenditures incurred by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in the administration of this Act. Outlines FEC examination, audit, and repayment procedures to determine candidate compliance with this Act. Subjects FEC actions to judicial review. Directs the FEC to report to the House of Representatives regarding: (1) candidate expenditures made and balances remaining in the Fund after each election; and (2) a detailed explanation and justification of rules, regulations, and forms it has issued under this Act. Precludes a House of Representatives candidate from receiving funds from the Make Democracy Work Fund without prior certification that any television commercial was prepared or distributed by the candidate in a manner that readily permits closed captioning of the commercial's oral content by way of specified broadcast technology. Amends Federal Postal Service law to provide reduced third-class mailing rates to eligible House of Representatives candidates during a general election period. Title II: Limitations on Political Committee and Large Donor Contributions That May Be Accepted By House of Representatives Candidates; Miscellaneous Provisions Relating To Contributions Under The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 - Sets forth limitations on political committee and large donor contributions (and contributions by dependents not of voting age) that may be accepted by House of Representatives candidates. Mandates that contributions to candidates from State and local political party committees be aggregated. Increases the amount that multicandidate political committees may contribute to national political party committees. Deems corporate or labor union expenditures for candidate appearances, debates, or voter guides to be contributions if the corporate or labor organization expressly advocates the election or defeat of a candidate or favors one candidate over another. Title III: Requirement of Budget Neutrality - Provides that the net costs of providing certain benefits under this Act must be fully offset by specified measures that either raise revenues or reduce spending by a specified deadline (thus achieving budget neutrality). Title IV: Independent Expenditures - Modifies definitions relating to independent expenditures. Sets forth reporting requirements for certain independent expenditures. Title V: Bundling and Soft Money - Prohibits any person from acting as conduit or intermediary for any contribution to any candidate, except in specified circumstances. States that such persons are likewise prohibited from conducting or participating in joint fundraising activities with or on behalf of any candidate. Sets forth limitations upon the combined political activities of political committees of political parties. Prohibits incumbents and candidates for Federal office from soliciting contributions to certain organizations substantially engaged in voter registration or get-out-the-vote campaigns. Mandates that political committees established and maintained by a national political party shall report all receipts and disbursements during the reporting period, whether or not in connection with an election for Federal office. Title VI: Prohibitions Relating to Political Committees and Foreign Nationals - Prohibits a candidate for Federal office from establishing, maintaining, or controlling any political committee other than a principal campaign committee, or certain authorized committees (thereby prohibiting the use of leadership committees). Allows such leadership committees to continue making contributions until one year after January 1, 1993, after which time all funds must be disbursed in one or more specified manners. Prohibits an unauthorized political committee from using the name of any candidate in any fundraising activity on its behalf in a context which suggests that the committee is the candidate's authorized committee. Prohibits a foreign national from controlling, influencing, or participating in election-related activities, including making contributions or expenditures relating to any political election or the administration of a political committee. Title VII: Campaign Surplus - Mandates that the funds exceeding $600,000 of incumbents who are House of Representatives candidates be deposited in a separate account subject to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Title VIII: Campaign Advertising - Prescribes guidelines for campaign advertising related to: (1) printed communication; and (2) broadcast or cablecast communication. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to entitle House of Representatives candidates to the lowest unit rate charged by a licensee for the same amount of time (currently, the same class and amount of time for the same period on the same date, during the 30 (currently 45) days prior to the primary election and the 45 (currently 60) days prior to the general election). Prohibits the licensee from pre-empting such a candidate's use of the station except in an emergency. Title IX: Contribution Solicitation - Proscribes the solicitation of contributions by false representation by any person as a candidate or as a representative of a candidate or of a political party or committee. Title X: Reporting Requirements - Requires certain reports to identify any person (other than a committee) who contributes more than $50 (currently, more than $200). Directs the FEC to: (1) require with respect to specified reports that operating expenditures be reported on an election cycle basis, by category, as specified by the FEC; and (2) maintain computerized indices of contributions of $50.00 or more. Title XI: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 12 November 1991

   Introduced

   Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 12 November 1991

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 12 November 1991

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 14 November 1991

   Vote

   Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 14 - 9.

   Source: Committee

5. 14 November 1991

   Committee

   Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

   Source: Committee

6. 15 November 1991

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Postal Operations and Services.

   Source: Committee

7. 19 November 1991

   Reported

   Reported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 102-340, Part I.

   Source: Committee

8. 19 November 1991

   Reported

   Reported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 102-340, Part I.

   Source: Committee

9. 23 November 1991

   Reported

   Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 299 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3750 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. It shall be in order to consider an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text printed in part 1 of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule. All points of order against said substitute are waived. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. After passage of H.R. 3750, it shall be in order to move to take from the Speaker's table S. 3 and to consider said bill in the House. It shall then be in order to strike all after the enacting clause of S. 3 and insert the provisions of H.R. 3750 as passed by the House, and then to insist on the amendment and ask for a conference.

   Source: Floor

10. 25 November 1991

    Floor

    Laid on the table. See S. 3 for further action.

    Source: Floor

11. 25 November 1991

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

12. 25 November 1991

    Vote

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 273 - 156 (Roll No. 427).

    Source: Floor

13. 25 November 1991

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 273 - 156 (Roll No. 427).

    Source: Floor

14. 25 November 1991

    Vote

    On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 155 - 270 (Roll no. 426).

    Source: Floor

15. 25 November 1991

    Floor

    The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered without objection.

    Source: Floor

16. 25 November 1991

    Floor

    Mr. Thomas (CA) moved to recommit to House Administration.

    Source: Floor

17. 25 November 1991

    Passed

    The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

    Source: Floor

18. 25 November 1991

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

19. 25 November 1991

    Floor

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3750.

    Source: Floor

20. 25 November 1991

    Passed

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3750 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. It shall be in order to consider an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text printed in part 1 of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule. All points of order against said substitute are waived. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. After passage of H.R. 3750, it shall be in order to move to take from the Speaker's table S. 3 and to consider said bill in the House. It shall then be in order to strike all after the enacting clause of S. 3 and insert the provisions of H.R. 3750 as passed by the House, and then to insist on the amendment and ask for a conference.

    Source: Floor

21. 25 November 1991

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Nicholas Mavroules to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

22. 25 November 1991

    Floor

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 299 and Rule XXIII.

    Source: Floor

23. 25 November 1991

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 299.

    Source: Floor

24. 25 November 1991

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 299 passed House.

    Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in House · — · Download file
• Reported in House · — · Download file

Documents

5 official files

• Reported in House (text)

  Reported in House · EN

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  Leesvertaling

  Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

  Vertaal naarNL · DutchDE · GermanFR · FrenchES · SpanishIT · ItalianPL · PolishPT · PortugueseSV · SwedishDA · DanishFI · FinnishEL · GreekCS · CzechHU · HungarianRO · RomanianBG · BulgarianHR · CroatianSK · SlovakSL · SlovenianLT · LithuanianLV · LatvianET · EstonianGA · IrishMT · Maltese

  Vertaal document

  Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 25 November 1991

  Open at official source

  Leesvertaling

  Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

  Vertaal naarNL · DutchDE · GermanFR · FrenchES · SpanishIT · ItalianPL · PolishPT · PortugueseSV · SwedishDA · DanishFI · FinnishEL · GreekCS · CzechHU · HungarianRO · RomanianBG · BulgarianHR · CroatianSK · SlovakSL · SlovenianLT · LithuanianLV · LatvianET · EstonianGA · IrishMT · Maltese

  Vertaal document

  Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

• Reported to House amended, Part I

  summary · EN · 19 November 1991

  Open at official source

  Leesvertaling

  Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

  Vertaal naarNL · DutchDE · GermanFR · FrenchES · SpanishIT · ItalianPL · PolishPT · PortugueseSV · SwedishDA · DanishFI · FinnishEL · GreekCS · CzechHU · HungarianRO · RomanianBG · BulgarianHR · CroatianSK · SlovakSL · SlovenianLT · LithuanianLV · LatvianET · EstonianGA · IrishMT · Maltese

  Vertaal document

  Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 12 November 1991

  Open at official source

  Leesvertaling

  Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

  Vertaal naarNL · DutchDE · GermanFR · FrenchES · SpanishIT · ItalianPL · PolishPT · PortugueseSV · SwedishDA · DanishFI · FinnishEL · GreekCS · CzechHU · HungarianRO · RomanianBG · BulgarianHR · CroatianSK · SlovakSL · SlovenianLT · LithuanianLV · LatvianET · EstonianGA · IrishMT · Maltese

  Vertaal document

  Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

Sponsors

• Rep. Gejdenson, Sam [D-CT-2] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Gephardt, Richard A. [D-MO-3] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Bonior, David E. [D-MI-10] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Derrick, Butler C. [D-SC-3] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Kennelly, Barbara B. [D-CT-1] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Lewis, John [D-GA-5] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Fazio, Vic [D-CA-3] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Rose, Charlie [D-NC-7] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Kleczka, Gerald D. [D-WI-4] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Panetta, Leon [D-CA-16] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Synar, Mike [D-OK-2] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Abercrombie, Neil [D-HI-1] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Andrews, Thomas H. [D-ME-1] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Atkins, Chester G. [D-MA-5] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Bacchus, Jim [D-FL-11] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-13] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Coyne, William J. [D-PA-14] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Cox, John W., Jr. [D-IL-16] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Dellums, Ronald V. [D-CA-9] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Dixon, Julian C. [D-CA-32] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Dwyer, Bernard J. [D-NJ-6] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Eckart, Dennis E. [D-OH-11] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Edwards, Don [D-CA-10] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Fascell, Dante B. [D-FL-19] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Feighan, Edward F. [D-OH-19] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Glickman, Dan [D-KS-4] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Guarini, Frank J. [D-NJ-14] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Hamilton, Lee H. [D-IN-9] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Hoagland, Peter [D-NE-2] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Horn, Joan Kelly [D-MO-2] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Johnson, Tim [D-SD] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Johnston, Harry [D-FL-19] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Kanjorski, Paul E. [D-PA-11] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Kolter, Joseph P. [D-PA-4] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Lehman, William [D-FL-17] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Mazzoli, Romano L. [D-KY-3] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. McDermott, Jim [D-WA-7] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. McHugh, Matthew F. [D-NY-28] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. McMillen, Thomas [D-MD-4] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Miller, George [D-CA-11] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Mrazek, Robert J. [D-NY-3] · D · Sponsor

Showing 48 of 86 sponsors and actors.

Related records

• related to → Providing for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 3750) to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 and related provisions of law to provide for a voluntary system of spending limits and benefits for House of Representatives election campaigns, and for other purposes.
• related to ← Senate Election Ethics Act of 1991
• amends ← An amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text printed in part 1 of the House Report 102-365 as an original bill.
• amends ← Amendment in the nature of a substitute sought to reduce the amount which Political Action Committees (PACs) can contribute to House candidates from $5,000 to $1,000; require that at least one-half of their campaign funds be raised from local residents; ban "soft money" which is money given to State political parties for use in Federal elections; and provide for an effective date of Jan. 1, 1992.