H.R. 2183 105th Congress House

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 1998

Official title: To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to reform the financing of campaigns for elections for Federal office, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 4, 1998 See on congress.gov

Government Operations and Politics Administrative procedureAdministrative remediesAge (Law)Agriculture and Food

More subjectsShow fewer subjects

AliensArmed Forces and National SecurityArts, Culture, ReligionAuditingBusiness and politicsCampaign contributorsCampaign fundsCitizenshipCommerceCommunity service (Punishment)Computer softwareComputers and governmentCongressCongressional candidatesCongressional electionsCongressional elections (House)Congressional elections (Senate)Congressional ethicsCongressional mailCongressional newsletters and questionnairesCongressional reporting requirementsConspiracyConstitutional amendmentsCorporationsCrime and Law EnforcementEconomics and Public FinanceElection fraudElection lawElectronic data interchangeFacsimile transmissionFamiliesFederal Election CommissionFederal advisory bodiesFederal installationsFederal office buildingsFinance and Financial SectorFines (Penalties)Foreign agentsFranking privilegeFund raisingGovernment aircraftGovernment paperworkGovernment publicityGovernment travelGovernmental investigationsImmigrationIndexing (Economic policy)InjunctionsInternational AffairsInternetJudicial review of administrative actsLabor and EmploymentLabor union financesLabor union political activitiesLawLegislationLegislative resolutionsMembers of Congress (House)Military aircraftMilitary personnelMoneyMusicPolitical action committeesPolitical advertisingPolitical partiesPresidential candidatesPresidential electionsPresidential ethicsPresidential primariesPublic Lands and Natural ResourcesRadio in politicsRemoval of officialsScience, Technology, CommunicationsSentences (Criminal procedure)Soft moneyTax-exempt organizationsTaxationTelevision advertisingTelevision in politicsTransportation and Public WorksTravel costsUnfair labor practicesVice Presidential candidatesVice PresidentsVoter turnoutWhite House (Washington, D.C.)

Everywhere this bill has been Latest 49 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Sep 9, 1998

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 558.

Aug 31, 1998

Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

Aug 6, 1998

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

Aug 6, 1998

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 252 - 179 (Roll No. 405).

Aug 6, 1998

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.

Aug 6, 1998

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

Aug 6, 1998

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2183.

Aug 6, 1998

Pursuant to H. Res. 442, the Committee will report that the amendment numbered 13 printed in the Congressional Record and offered by Mr. Shays was adopted.

Aug 6, 1998

DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee proceeded with 60 minutes of debate on the Hutchinson of Arkansas amendment in the nature of a substitute. The amendment, numbered 8 printed in the Congressional Record, that is identical to the underlying text of H.R. 2183 except that it increases limits on PAC contributions to political parties from $15,000 to $20,000 a year and clarifies that candidates for Federal office may attend state political party fundraisers in their home state.

Aug 6, 1998

DEBATE - At the conclusion of debate the Obey amendment was not offered.

Aug 6, 1998

DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Obey of Wisconsin amendment in the nature of a substitute. The amendment, numbered 4 printed in the Congressional Record, bans soft money for House elections and creates a public fund to finance Federal campaigns.

Aug 6, 1998

DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Doolittle of California amendment in the nature of a substitute. The amendment, numbered 40 printed in the Congressional Record, repeals limits on contributions by individuals, political parties, and political action committees and terminates taxpayer financing of presidential election campaigns.

Aug 6, 1998

DEBATE - At the conclusion of debate the Farr amendment was not offered.

Aug 6, 1998

DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Farr of California amendment in the nature of a substitute. The amendment, numbered 7 printed in the Congressional Record, limits campaign spending and prohibits national political parties from soliciting or accepting soft money.

Aug 6, 1998

DEBATE - At the conclusion of debate the Tierney amendment was not offered.

Aug 6, 1998

DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Tierney of Massachusetts amendment in the nature of a substitute. The amendment, numbered 15 printed in the Congressional Record, includes a voluntary public fund for candidates who agree not to solicit private funds.

Aug 6, 1998

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Aug 6, 1998

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7298-7330)

Aug 3, 1998

Considered as unfinished business.

Aug 3, 1998

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2183 as unfinished business.

Aug 3, 1998

The Committee proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Shays amendment in the nature of a substitute.

Aug 3, 1998

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Aug 3, 1998

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6937-6945, H6947-6948)

Jul 31, 1998

UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business of the Committee was the postponed proceedings on the amendments debated earlier and that votes on the amendments would occur in the in the order in which they were debated: Barr of Georgia; McIntosh of Indiana; Horn of California; Shaw of Florida; Kaptur of Ohio; Stearns of Florida; Stearns of Florida; Whitfield of Kentucky; Whitfield of Kentucky; and English of Pennsylvania.

Jul 31, 1998

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Jul 31, 1998

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6855-6864)

Jul 31, 1998

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2183 as unfinished business.

Jul 31, 1998

POSTPONED VOTE - The Chair put the question on agreeing to the English of Pennsylvania amendment by voice vote and announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. English demanded a recorded vote. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 442, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment.

Jul 30, 1998

POSTPONED VOTE - The Chair put the question on agreeing to the Whitfield amendment by voice vote and announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Whitfield demanded a recorded vote. Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 442, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment.

Jul 30, 1998

POSTPONED VOTE - The Chair put the question on agreeing to the Stearns amendment by voice vote and announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Stearns demanded a recorded vote. Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 442, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment.

Jul 30, 1998

POSTPONED VOTE - The Chair put the question on agreeing to the Kaptur amendment by voice vote and announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Shays demanded a recorded vote. Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 442, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment.

Jul 30, 1998

POSTPONED VOTE - The Chair put the question on agreeing to the Shaw amendment by voice vote and announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Shaw demanded a recorded vote. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 442, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment.

Jul 30, 1998

POSTPONED VOTE - The Chair put the question on agreeing to the Horn amendment by voice vote and announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Horn demanded a recorded vote. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 442, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment.

Jul 30, 1998

POSTPONED VOTE - The Chair put the question on agreeing to the McIntosh amendment by voice vote and announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. McIntosh demanded a recorded vote. Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 442, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amenndment.

Jul 30, 1998

POSTPONED VOTE - The Chair put the question on agreeing to the Barr amendment by voice vote and announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Barr demanded a recorded vote. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 442, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment.

Jul 30, 1998

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Jul 30, 1998

Considered as unfinished business.

Jul 30, 1998

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2183 as unfinished business.

Jul 30, 1998

UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business of the Committee was the postponed proceedings on the amendments debated earlier and that votes on the amendments would occur in the following order: Goodlatte of Virginia, Wicker of Mississippi, Calvert of California, Linda Smith of Washington, Rohrabacher of California, Paul of Texas, Paul of Texas, DeLay of Texas, and Peterson of Pennsylvania.

Jul 30, 1998

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - The Chair put the question on agreeing to the Peterson of Pennsylvania amendment by voice vote and announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Meehan demanded a recorded vote. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 442, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment.

Jul 30, 1998

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - The Chair put the question on agreeing to the DeLay amendment by voice vote and announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. DeLay demanded a recorded vote. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 442, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment.

Jul 30, 1998

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - The Chair put the question on agreeing to the Paul amendment by voice vote and announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Paul demanded a recorded vote. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 442, the Chair postponed proceedings on the Paul amendment.

Jul 30, 1998

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - The Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment by voice vote and announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Paul demanded a recorded vote. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 442, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the Paul amendment.

Jul 30, 1998

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - The Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment by voice vote and announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Shays demanded a recorded vote. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 442, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the Rohrabacher amendment.

Jul 30, 1998

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6790-6817, H6827-6846)

Jul 20, 1998

DEBATE - At the conclusion of debate on the Smith (WA) amendment the Chair put the question and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mrs. Smith (WA) demanded a recorded vote and pursuant to H. Res. 442, the Chair postponed further proceedings until a later time.

Jul 20, 1998

ORDER OF PROCEDURE - Mrs. Smith of Washington asked unanimous consent that notwithstanding the order of the House of July 17, 1998, she be allowed to proceed out of order and to offer an amendment comprised of several amendments en bloc. Agreed to without objection.

Jul 20, 1998

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Jul 20, 1998

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Calvert amendment the Chair put the question and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Calvert demanded a recorded vote and pursuant to H. Res. 442, the Chair postponed further proceedings until a later time.

Older steps are on congress.gov: full list of actions

Votes taken on this bill 1

Date	Chamber	What was voted on	Result	Yes–No
Aug 6, 1998	House · vote #405	On Passage	Passed	252–179	See who voted →

Amendments to this bill 45

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.

24 agreed to 21 failed

Amendment	Sponsor	Purpose	Status	Latest action
HAMDT 862	–	An amendment, numbered 8 printed in the Congressional Record, that is identical to the text of H.R. 2183 exce…	Failed	Aug 6, 1998
HAMDT 861	–	An amendment numbered 5 printed in the Congressional Record to repeal limits on campaign contributions by ind…	Failed	Aug 6, 1998
HAMDT 690	–	An amendment in the nature of a substitute printed as amendment number 13 in the Congressional record. The am…	Agreed to	Aug 3, 1998
HAMDT 823	–	An amendment to require political committees to transfer suspected illegal or improper campaign contributions…	Agreed to	Jul 31, 1998
HAMDT 822	–	An amendment to prohibit the bundling of contributions.	Failed	Jul 31, 1998
HAMDT 821	–	An amendment to define "express advocacy" as a communication that advocates the election or defeat of a candi…	Failed	Jul 31, 1998
HAMDT 820	–	An amendment to increase the contribution limit to candidates from individuals from $1,000 to $3,000.	Failed	Jul 31, 1998
HAMDT 819	–	An amendment to require any candidate for President or Vice President to certify that the candidate will not …	Agreed to	Jul 31, 1998
HAMDT 817	–	An amendment to allow permanent resident aliens serving in the armed forces to make campaign contributions.	Agreed to	Jul 31, 1998
HAMDT 816	Kaptur, Marcy	An amendment to establish a clearinghous of information on political activities within the Federal Election C…	Agreed to	Jul 31, 1998
HAMDT 815	–	An amendment to require at least 50 percent of contributions accepted by House candidates to come from in-sta…	Failed	Jul 31, 1998
HAMDT 813	–	An amendment to allow reduced postage rates for principal campaign committees of congressional candidates.	Failed	Jul 31, 1998
HAMDT 812	–	An amendment to prohibit a communication with a Senator or Member of the House of Representatives regarding a…	Failed	Jul 31, 1998
HAMDT 809	–	An amendment to prohibit the use of bilingual voting materials.	Failed	Jul 31, 1998
HAMDT 818	–	An amendment to establish criminal penalties for violating the spending limits applicable to the candidate un…	Agreed to	Jul 30, 1998
HAMDT 814	–	An amendment to establish expedited court review of certain alleged violations of the Federal Election Campai…	Agreed to	Jul 30, 1998
HAMDT 811	–	An amendment to specify that the FEC may not include background music or lyrics to determine whether broadcas…	Agreed to	Jul 30, 1998
HAMDT 810	–	An amendment to to require the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to make a report and recommend to t…	Agreed to	Jul 30, 1998
HAMDT 808	–	An amendment to establish a voter eligibility pilot confirmation program to verify citizenship.	Failed	Jul 30, 1998
HAMDT 807	–	An amendment to clarify that certain communications from citizen groups are exempt from express advocacy requ…	Failed	Jul 30, 1998
HAMDT 806	–	An amendment to require that candidates who receive campaign financing from the Presidential Election Campaig…	Failed	Jul 30, 1998
HAMDT 805	–	An amendment to establish minimum ballot petition signature limits and restrict the imposition of the signatu…	Failed	Jul 30, 1998
HAMDT 804	–	An amendment to allow a candidate whose opponent spends more that $1,000 in personal funds to accept contribu…	Failed	Jul 30, 1998
HAMDT 803	–	An amendment to require the President to post on the Internet the names of all non-governmental persons who a…	Agreed to	Jul 30, 1998
HAMDT 752	–	An amendment to include coverage of voter guides posted on the Internet under vote guide exception; include a…	Agreed to	Jul 30, 1998
HAMDT 751	Calvert, Ken	An amendment to add a new title specifying restrictions on nonresident fundraising.	Failed	Jul 30, 1998
HAMDT 748	Wicker, Roger F.	An amendment to require photo identification for voters.	Failed	Jul 30, 1998
HAMDT 747	–	An amendment to add a new section to repeal the requirement for states to provide for voter registration by m…	Failed	Jul 30, 1998
HAMDT 750	–	An amendment to add a new title inserting a ban on coordinated soft money activities by presidential candidat…	Agreed to	Jul 20, 1998
HAMDT 749	–	An amendment to add a new title providing for enhancement of enforcement of campaign law.	Agreed to	Jul 20, 1998
HAMDT 746	–	An amendment to prohibit campaigns from providing currency to individuals for the purpose of encouraging turn…	Agreed to	Jul 20, 1998
HAMDT 745	–	An amendment to require the national parties to reimburse the Federal government for the use of Air Force One…	Agreed to	Jul 20, 1998
HAMDT 744	–	An amendment to require an itemization of amounts spent by labor organizations for political activities and r…	Failed	Jul 20, 1998
HAMDT 743	–	An amendment to prohibit acceptance or soliciation to obtain access to Air Force One, Marine One, Air Force T…	Agreed to	Jul 20, 1998
HAMDT 742	–	An amendment to express the Sense of Congress that Federal law clearly demonstrates that "controlling legal a…	Agreed to	Jul 20, 1998
HAMDT 741	–	An amendment to establish a prison term for 5 to 20 years and a fine not to exceed $1 million as penalties fo…	Agreed to	Jul 20, 1998
HAMDT 717	–	An amendment to prohibit use of willful blindness as defense against charge of violating foreign contribution…	Agreed to	Jul 20, 1998
HAMDT 716	–	An amendment to ban campaign contributions by noncitizens to candidates for Federal, state, or local election.	Agreed to	Jul 20, 1998
HAMDT 715	Wicker, Roger F.	An amendment to prohibit the use of White House meals or accommodations for political fundraising.	Agreed to	Jul 20, 1998
HAMDT 714	–	An amendment to add a new section which prohibits non-citizen individuals from making contributions in connec…	Agreed to	Jul 14, 1998
HAMDT 694	–	An amendment to stipulate that the term "express advocacy" shall not apply with respect to any communication …	Failed	Jul 14, 1998
HAMDT 693	–	An amendment to protect equal participation of eligible voters in campaigns and elections notwithstanding the…	Agreed to	Jun 19, 1998
HAMDT 692	–	An amendment numbered 30 as printed in House Report 105-567. The amendment adds a new title establishing an i…	Agreed to	Jun 19, 1998
HAMDT 691	–	An amendment to add a section requiring the nonseverability of provisions of the Act.	Failed	Jun 19, 1998
HAMDT 688	–	An amendment in the nature of a substitute printed as amendment number 16 in the Congressional Record. The am…	Failed	Jun 17, 1998

Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

Latest action September 9, 1998

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 558.

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Soft Money and Contributions and Expenditures of

Political Parties

Title II: Indexing Contribution Limits

Title III: Expanding Disclosure of Campaign Finance

Information

Title IV: Effective Date

Bipartisan Campaign Integrity Act of 1997 - Title I: Soft Money and Contributions and Expenditures of Political Parties - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to ban the use of certain soft money by national political parties, specified entities, and Federal candidates. Prohibits transfers of non-Federal funds between State parties unless the funds are subject to the Act.

(Sec. 102) Increases the aggregate annual limit on contributions made by individuals to political parties.

(Sec. 103) Repeals the limitations on the amount of coordinated expenditures that may be made by political parties.

Title II: Indexing Contribution Limits - Sets forth provisions for the indexing of contribution limits.

Title III: Expanding Disclosure of Campaign Finance Information - Requires the disclosure of certain radio and television communications.

(Sec. 302) Revises FECA filing requirements for reports to mandate:

(1) the monthly filing of reports by principal campaign committees and other political committees (other than a candidate's authorized committees); and (2) electronic filing for certain reports.

(Sec. 304) Waives the "best efforts" exception with respect to information regarding the occupation or the name of employers of certain individual contributors.

Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date.

Related & companion bills 2

Bill text 4 versions

Engrossed in House Formatted Text PDF
Introduced in House Formatted Text PDF
Placed on Calendar Senate Formatted Text PDF
Received in Senate Formatted Text PDF

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

Committees of jurisdiction 1

Committee on House Administration
House of Representatives

Cosponsors 15

TAUZIN, W.

· May 6, 1998

Graham, Lindsey

South Carolina · Apr 30, 1998

California · Feb 4, 1998

MCCARTHY, KAREN

· Nov 6, 1997

DeLauro, Rosa L.

Connecticut · Oct 23, 1997

Colorado · Jul 17, 1997

Cite this page click to expand

APA

U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2183: Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 1998. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2183/

MLA

"H.R. 2183: Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 1998." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2183/.

Bluebook (legal)

H.R. 2183, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2183/.

Markdown link

[H.R. 2183: Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 1998](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2183/)