S. 25 (105th)

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 1997

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

21 January 1997

Last action

24 February 1998 · Committee

Status

Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution, Federalism, and Property Rights. Hearings held on S.J.Res. 16 and S.25 (without committee referral). Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-511.

Summary

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Senate Election Spending Limits and Benefits Title II: Reduction of Special Interest Influence Subtitle A: Political Action Committees Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Party Committees Subtitle C: Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties Subtitle D: Contributions Subtitle E: Independent Expenditures Title III: Enforcement Title IV: Miscellaneous Title V: Constitutionality; Effective Date; Regulations Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 1997 - Title I: Senate Election Spending Limits and Benefits - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to set forth Senate election spending limits and benefits. Entitles complying candidates to specified: (1) broadcast discounts and free time; and (2) postage reductions. Directs the Federal Election Commission (Commission) to certify a candidate who has met the requirements of this title as eligible for benefits (under such title). (Sec. 106) Sets forth Senate candidate reporting requirements, including: (1) specification of in-State residents' contributions; and (2) expenditure of (candidate) personal funds. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) provide for preemption only in situations beyond a station's control; and (2) extend the license revocation provision for failure to provide cable access. Title II: Reduction of Special Interest Influence - Subtitle A: Political Action Committees - Amends FECA to prohibit Federal election contributions by political action committees (as defined by this Act). States that if such ban is not in effect: (1) a committee's contributions to a candidate shall not exceed limits applicable to an individual; and (2) a candidate may not accept more than 20 percent of contributions from committee sources. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Party Committees - Amends FECA with respect to "soft money" to: (1) prohibit a national committee of a political party (including specified related entities) from soliciting or receiving contributions or making expenditures not subject to such Act; (2) require a State, district, or local committee of a political party to make Federal election year expenditures (with exceptions) from funds subject to such Act; (3) prohibit a national, State, district, or local committee from soliciting or donating funds to a tax-exempt organization; and (4) prohibit an incumbent or candidate for Federal office from soliciting or receiving funds not subject to such Act, or to solicit or receive funds for a non-Federal election in excess of certain limits or from prohibited sources (with exceptions for State or local candidates in compliance with State law). (Sec. 212) Establishes aggregate and separate individual contribution limits to State Party Grassroots Funds and all committees established by a State committee of a political party. Increases annual individual contribution limits. Sets forth State Party Grassroots Fund and reporting provisions. Subtitle C: Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties - Amends FECA to require certain persons other than a political party that make aggregate election activity disbursements exceeding $10,000 to file with the Commission. Subtitle D: Contributions - Amends FECA to treat contributions: (1) made through an intermediary or conduit as having been made by the original contributor; and (2) delivered through a bundler as having been made by the bundler to the candidate as well as from the original contributor. Subtitle E: Independent Expenditures - Amends FECA regarding independent expenditure reporting requirements. Title III: Enforcement - Amends FECA to authorize the Commission to: (1) prescribe regulations for computer and facsimile reporting; (2) conduct random post election audits to ensure voluntary FECA compliance; and (3) seek injunctions. (Sec. 304) Reduces the aggregate annual contribution reporting requirement. (Sec. 305) Increases the penalty for knowing and willful violations of such Act. (Sec. 306) Prohibits: (1) contributions by individuals not qualified to vote; and (2) false representations to solicit contributions. (Sec. 309) Sets forth expedited Commission procedures regarding violations of such Act. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Amends FECA to prohibit the personal use of campaign funds. (Sec. 402) Sets forth political advertising provisions for print and broadcast or cablecast communications. (Sec. 403) Prohibits franked mass mailings by a Member in his or her election year, unless such Member will not be a candidate for any Federal office. (Sec. 404) Requires a committee of a political party, before making coordinated expenditures (as defined in this Act) in excess of $5000 for a Federal election, to certify to the Commission that it has not and will not make any independent expenditures (as defined in this Act) in connection with such campaign. (Sec. 406) Defines "express advocacy." Title V: Constitutionality; Effective Date; Regulations - Sets forth provisions regarding severability, review of constitutional issues, effective date, and Commission regulations.

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

Timeline

21 January 1997
Introduced
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules.
Source: IntroReferral
21 January 1997
Introduced
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S384-385)
Source: IntroReferral
21 January 1997
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Source: IntroReferral
25 September 1997
Calendars
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 183.
Source: Calendars
25 September 1997
Discharge
Senate Committee on Rules and Administration discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Source: Discharge
25 September 1997
Committee
Senate Committee on Rules and Administration discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Source: Committee
26 September 1997
Floor
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9994-10026, S10097-10100)
Source: Floor
29 September 1997
Floor
The bill was modified by Unanimous Consent.
Source: Floor
3 October 1997
Floor
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S10317)
Source: Floor
6 October 1997
Floor
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S10339-10420)
Source: Floor
7 October 1997
Floor
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S10466-10467)
Source: Floor
8 October 1997
Vote
Second cloture on the bill as modified not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52-47. Record Vote No: 270. (consideration: CR S10522)
Source: Floor
9 October 1997
Vote
Third cloture on the bill as modified not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52-47. Record Vote No: 273. (consideration: CR S10731)
Source: Floor
30 October 1997
Floor
Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 183.
Source: Floor
24 February 1998
Committee
Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution, Federalism, and Property Rights. Hearings held on S.J.Res. 16 and S.25 (without committee referral). Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-511.
Source: Committee

Votes

9 October 1997 · Cloture Motion Rejected · On the Cloture Motion S. 25 · Cloture Motion Rejected · Official source

Yes 52 · No 47 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 1

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

8 October 1997 · Cloture Motion Rejected · On the Cloture Motion S. 25 · Cloture Motion Rejected · Official source

Yes 52 · No 47 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 1

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

Versions

Introduced in Senate · 29 September 1997 · Download file
Placed on Calendar Senate · 25 September 1997 · Download file
Introduced in Senate · 21 January 1997 · Download file

Documents

7 official files

Introduced in Senate (text)

View file Download file

This file cannot be previewed here. Use View or Download.

Leesvertaling

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

Vertaal naar

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

Introduced in Senate (text)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 29 September 1997
View Download Open at official source
Introduced in Senate (PDF)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 29 September 1997
View Download Open at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Vertaal naar
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Placed on Calendar Senate (text)
Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 25 September 1997
View Download Open at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Vertaal naar
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Placed on Calendar Senate (PDF)
Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 25 September 1997
View Download Open at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Vertaal naar
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Introduced in Senate (text)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 21 January 1997
View Download Open at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Vertaal naar
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Introduced in Senate (PDF)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 21 January 1997
View Download Open at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Vertaal naar
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 21 January 1997
Open at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Vertaal naar
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

Related records

amends ← SAMDT 1284
amends ← SAMDT 1277
amends ← SAMDT 1282
amends ← SAMDT 1280
amends ← SAMDT 1293
amends ← SAMDT 1278
amends ← SAMDT 1292
amends ← SAMDT 1286

Showing 8 of 42 related records.

Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.

Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/25
Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/105/s/25
us · 105-s-25 · source updated 21 August 2025