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Senate Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1995

Introduced: September 7, 1995 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 16 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 25, 1996
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 456.
Jun 25, 1996
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6761-6817)
Jun 25, 1996
Cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 54-46. Record Vote No: 168. (consideration: CR S6817)
Jun 24, 1996
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6680-6718)
Jun 20, 1996
Cloture motion presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S6630)
Jun 20, 1996
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6630)
Jun 20, 1996
Senate Committee on Rules discharged by Unanimous Consent.
May 15, 1996
Committee on Rules and Administration. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 104-542.
May 8, 1996
Committee on Rules and Administration. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 104-542.
Apr 17, 1996
Committee on Rules and Administration. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 104-542.
Mar 27, 1996
Committee on Rules and Administration. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 104-542.
Mar 13, 1996
Committee on Rules and Administration. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 104-542.
Feb 1, 1996
Committee on Rules and Administration. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 104-542.
Sep 7, 1995
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules.
Sep 7, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12831-12832)
Sep 7, 1995
Introduced in Senate
 Amendments to this bill 21

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to 20 pending / other

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
SAMDT 4,092 In the nature of a substitute. Agreed to Jun 20, 1996
SAMDT 4,084 To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require written consent before using union dues and oth… Pending Jun 20, 1996
SAMDT 4,155 Pending
SAMDT 4,110 Pending
SAMDT 4,109 Pending
SAMDT 4,108 Pending
SAMDT 4,107 Pending
SAMDT 4,106 Pending
SAMDT 4,105 Pending
SAMDT 4,104 Pending
SAMDT 4,103 Pending
SAMDT 4,102 Pending
SAMDT 4,101 Pending
SAMDT 4,100 Pending
SAMDT 4,099 Pending
SAMDT 4,098 Pending
SAMDT 4,097 Pending
SAMDT 4,096 Pending
SAMDT 4,095 Pending
SAMDT 4,094 Pending
SAMDT 4,093 Pending
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Senate Election Spending Limits and Benefits

Title II: Reduction of Special Interest Influence

Subtitle A: Elimination of Political Action Committees

From Federal Election Activities

Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of

Political Parties

Subtitle C: Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties

Subtitle D: Contributions

Subtitle E: Additional Contribution Limits

Subtitle F: Independent Expenditures

Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions

Senate Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1995 - 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.

(Sec. 103) 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 access to cable systems.

Title II: Reduction of Special Interest Influence - Subtitle A: Elimination of Political Action Committees From Federal Election Activities - Amends FECA to prohibit Federal election activities 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 Parties - Amends FECA to set forth soft money contribution and reporting provisions.

Subtitle C: Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties - Amends FECA to set forth reporting requirements for persons other than political parties (with exceptions for candidate's authorized committees or independent expenditures) who disburse more than $2000 for political activities.

Subtitle D: Contributions - Amends FECA to set forth conditions under which contributions to a candidate made by a person through an intermediary or conduit shall be treated as having come from the person or from the intermediary.

Subtitle E: Additional Prohibitions on Contributions - Requires candidates to raise at least 60 percent of their contributions from in-State individuals in order to be in FECA compliance.

Subtitle F: Independent Expenditures - Amends FECA to redefine "independent expenditure." Includes within the definition of "contribution" certain expenditures containing express advocacy made by a candidate or candidate's representative.

Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends FECA to prohibit the personal use of campaign funds.

(Sec. 302) Sets forth political advertising provisions for print and broadcast or cablecast communications.

(Sec. 303) Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to: (1) prescribe regulations for computer and facsimile reporting; and (2) conduct random post-election audits to ensure voluntary FECA compliance.

(Sec. 305) 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. 306) Grants the Commission injunctive relief authority.

(Sec. 308) Provides for direct appeal to the United States Supreme Court from any judicial ruling on the constitutionality of any provision of this Act.

(Sec. 309) Revises certain political committee reporting requirements.

What's happening now June 25, 1996

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 456.

 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1219: Senate Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1995. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-S-1219/
MLA
"S. 1219: Senate Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1995." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-S-1219/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1219, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-S-1219/.
Markdown link
[S. 1219: Senate Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1995](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-S-1219/)
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