Campaign Finance Reform, Day 1, Afternoon

Witnesses testified about the restrictions on “electioneering communications” contained in the McCain-Feingold Act. The Commission was seeking comment on draft rules that implement the statutory requirements regarding communications during elections. These included broadcast, cable and satellite communications that refer to a clearly identified federal candidate within 6o days of a general election or within 30 days of a primary election for federal office, and for candidates for the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives, targeted to reach 50,000 or more people within the jurisdiction of a campaign.

This portion focused on the impact of proposed regulations on the independent and private sectors. They also offered several exceptions to the rules to allow public service and entertainment programming as well as some forms of issue advocacy. close