National Presidential and Congressional Campaigns, Research Paper Example

Introduction

In the United States, campaign finance refers to the funding of the campaigns for political offices at the local, state and federal level. The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) 1971 remains the country’s fundamental electoral finance law. Enacted by the Congress in 1971, it governs the funding of electoral campaigns at the federal level (Garrett 3-5). In the USA, the National Presidential and Congressional candidates can use multiple sources of funds and avenues to raise campaign funds. Overall, these include through public and private funding. The public funding includes partial public financial systems and Full Public financing systems. Private finances include Contribution from Corporate and Union Treasury, Soft money contributions, Bundling and lobbying.

Partial financial systems

Partial financial system is limited to the qualified presidential candidate at the federal level. The government provides funds to the qualified candidates to fund part of the campaign expenses. In partial funding, public funds are granted to candidates on a matching basis. This means that a specific amount is provided for every dollar that a candidate manages to raise from private contributions (Public Citizen 1-2). The qualifying criteria is meant to show that a considerable number of citizens endorse the candidate. It also minimizes the amount of money a candidate should raise.  This includes a matching program, which is given to the first $250 of each individual contribution during the campaign for primaries.

Next, includes the national nominating conventions of the leading parties and lastly, the financing of nominees of the leading parties for the general election campaigns. For the presidential candidates to qualify for subsidies in primaries, they must demonstrate they are qualified by raising $5,000 from private donations in at least 20 states. Agreeing to restrict spending, based on specific statutory formula, qualifies the candidates for matching funds for their initial $250 for every individual contribution. However, candidates are at liberty to spend any amount of money they have raised privately if they refuse the matching funds (Garrett 5-7).

The government also provides partial funding through block grants, over which the government gives a lump sum payment to eligible candidates, including managing to raise a minimum amount of private contributions in show of capability. Presidential candidates who demonstrated support in the past election are also eligible for partial public financing in the primary election (Public Citizen 1-2).

Full Public financing systems

When it comes to public financing systems, the government grants the candidates funds to cater for almost all their campaign expenses. In return, the candidates agree to turn down any private campaign contributions. The candidates become eligible for funding when they manage to raise a specific amount of modest contributions.  In general, presidential candidates who demonstrated support in the past election are also eligible for full public financing in the general elections. For federal level, full public financing is limited to the qualified presidential candidate.

Congressional campaigns

Overall, the US Congressional campaigns are funded privately. However, some 14 states, the federal government and a number of other jurisdictions grant public financing of the congressional campaigns. Among the states with broad public financing system include Minnesota, which offers a strong partial public financing system. Maine, Connecticut and Arizona, on the other hand, offer full public financing system.

Contribution from Corporate and Union Treasury

Corporate organizations and unions are barred from contributing funds to the federal elections.  However, Political Action Committees (PACs) that are affiliated with the corporations and the unions, although legally separate, may still continue contributing to the candidates or their parties (Mathias 69). The law allows corporations and unions to fund electioneering communications. However, such expenditure is not considered as a contribution by FECA 1971. However, FECA requires that PACs have to disclose the sources of their funds when they exceed $200. Additionally, they are required to disclose their expenditure to any individual (Garrett 3-4).

Soft money contributions

FECA prohibits use of soft money in federal elections. This also covers the prohibition of unregulated contributions to the national party committees. However, FECA allows corporations and unions to contribute unrestricted amount of soft money to the political parties for activities that are aimed at influencing the state elections, such as general advertising (Garrett 5).

Bundling

Although the corporations and union are prohibited from contributing funds directly to the presidential and congressional candidates, they can use bundling. These include running campaigns to seek bundlers (or individuals who can collect contributions from different individuals for campaigns purposes) (Garrett 6).

Lobbying

Campaign lobbyists help congressional candidates with campaign financing by seeking for PACs, arranging for fundraisers and looking for donations from other clients. The lobbyists often become fundraisers and campaign treasurers from the candidates (Garrett 4).

Conclusion

While presidential campaigns are financed both privately and publicly, congressional campaigns are financed privately. Hence, public financing is limited to the qualified presidential candidate at the federal level. Despite the limits by FECA on public and partial financial system, most presidential and congressional candidates fund their spending privately. On the other hand, the qualified candidates for the presidential position are liable for public financing for the duration of the general election and the primaries. To meet the criteria for subsidy from the government, the presidential candidates must satisfy eligibility requirements. Those who accept financing from the government face restrictions on the amount of money they can spend. There is no limit to spending funds accumulated through private contributions.

Cited Works

Garrett, Sam. The State of Campaign Finance Policy: Recent Developments and Issues for Congress. Congressional research Service, 2014.

Mathias, Charles. “Should There Be Public Financing of Congressional Campaigns?” Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 486.1  (1986): 64-75

Public Citizen. A Short History of Public Funding of Elections in the US, n.d., <http://www.citizen.org/documents/short-history-of-public-financing-of-elections.pdf>