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H.R. 2849 96th Congress House

Congressional Campaign Financing Act of 1979

Official title: A bill to provide for limitations on congressional campaign expenditures and for partial public financing of congressional primary and general elections.

Introduced: March 13, 1979 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Campaign fundsCampaign managementCongressional electionsDepartment of the Treasury
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Government trust fundsVoting
This bill died when the 96th Congress ended
It never became law before the 96th Congress (1979–1980) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 13, 1979
Referred to House Committee on House Administration.
Mar 13, 1979
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 13, 1979

Referred to House Committee on House Administration.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Congressional Campaign Financing Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to entitle to campaign payments congressional candidates who agree to certain reporting and recordkeeping procedures and certify that: (1) they and their authorized committees will not incur campaign expenses in excess of certain limitations; and (2) they have received contributions in excess of a specified sum.

Sets the amount of payments to an eligible candidate at the amount of contributions received up to a specified maximum. Stipulates that sums given by any one contributor totalling over $100 shall be disregarded for purposes of matching grants.

Restricts use of funds forwarded under this Act to defraying campaign expenses either directly or through repayment of campaign loans.

Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to specify spending limits for candidates receiving payments under this Act. Waives such limits for sums in excess of the limit imposed for candidates receiving payments.

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a separate Congressional Election Payment Account in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and to deposit certain sums in such account in accordance with specified guidelines.

Requires repayment by a candidate of excess payments and unexpended payments. Establishes criminal penalties for use of funds for other than campaign purposes. Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to institute repayment actions in district courts.

Specifies the administrative authority of the Commission in carrying out this Act. Directs the Commission to: (1) conduct an audit of the qualified campaign expenses of every candidate who receives matching payments; and (2) report to Congress with respect to such expenses and payments, such report to be made readily available to the public.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2849: Congressional Campaign Financing Act of 1979. 96th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-2849/
MLA
"H.R. 2849: Congressional Campaign Financing Act of 1979." 96th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-2849/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2849, 96th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-2849/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2849: Congressional Campaign Financing Act of 1979](https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-2849/)
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