I
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 414
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 25, 2011
Mr. Price of North Carolina (for himself and Mr. Van Hollen) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reform the system of public financing for Presidential elections, and for other purposes.
Short title; table of contents
Short title
This Act may be cited
as the Presidential Funding
Act
.
Table of contents
The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Title I—Primary elections
Sec. 101. Increase in and modifications to matching payments.
Sec. 102. Eligibility requirements for matching payments.
Sec. 103. Inflation adjustment for contribution limitations and matching contributions.
Sec. 104. Repeal of expenditure limitations.
Sec. 105. Period of availability of matching payments.
Sec. 106. Examination and audits of matchable contributions.
Sec. 107. Modification to limitation on contributions for presidential primary candidates.
Title II—General elections
Sec. 201. Modification of eligibility requirements for public financing.
Sec. 202. Repeal of expenditure limitations and use of qualified campaign contributions.
Sec. 203. Matching payments and other modifications to payment amounts.
Sec. 204. Inflation adjustment for payment amounts and qualified contributions.
Sec. 205. Increase in limit on coordinated party expenditures.
Sec. 206. Establishment of uniform date for release of payments.
Sec. 207. Amounts in Presidential Election Campaign Fund.
Sec. 208. Use of general election payments for general election legal and accounting compliance.
Title III—Political conventions
Sec. 301. Repeal of public financing of party conventions.
Sec. 302. Contributions for political conventions.
Sec. 303. Prohibition on use of soft money.
Title IV—Other provisions
Sec. 401. Revisions to designation of income tax payments by individual taxpayers.
Sec. 402. Regulations with respect to best efforts for identifying persons making contributions.
Sec. 403. Prohibition on joint fundraising committees.
Sec. 404. Disclosure of bundled contributions to presidential campaigns.
Sec. 405. Judicial review of actions related to campaign finance laws.
Title V—Severability and effective date
Sec. 501. Severability.
Sec. 502. Effective date.
Primary elections
Increase in and modifications to matching payments
Increase and modification
In general
The first sentence of section 9034(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—
by striking
an amount equal to the amount of each contribution
and inserting
an amount equal to 400 percent of the amount of each matchable
contribution
; and
by striking
authorized committees
and all that follows through
$250
and inserting authorized committees
.
Matchable contributions
Section 9034 of such Code is amended—
by striking the last sentence of subsection (a); and
by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection:
Matchable contribution defined
For purposes of this section and section 9033(b)—
Matchable contribution
The term matchable contribution means, with respect to the nomination for election to the office of President of the United States, a contribution by an individual to a candidate or an authorized committee of a candidate—
which does not exceed $200, and
with respect to which the candidate has certified in writing that—
the individual making such contribution has not made aggregate contributions (including such matchable contribution) to such candidate and the authorized committees of such candidate in excess of $200 with respect to such nomination,
such candidate and the authorized committees of such candidate will not accept contributions from such individual (including such matchable contribution) aggregating more than $200 with respect to such nomination, and
such contribution was not—
forwarded from the contributor from any person other than an individual, or
received by the candidate or committee from a contributor or contributors, but credited by the committee or candidate to another person who is not an individual through records, designations, or other means of recognizing that a certain amount of money has been raised by such person.
Contribution
For purposes of this subsection, the term contribution means a gift of money made by a written instrument which identifies the individual making the contribution by full name and mailing address, but does not include a subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money, or anything of value or anything described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of section 9032(4).
.
Conforming amendments
Section 9032(4) of
such Code is amended by striking section 9034(a)
and inserting
section 9034
.
Section 9033(b)(3)
of such Code is amended by striking matching contributions
and
inserting matchable contributions
.
Modification of payment limitation
Section 9034(b) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 is amended by striking shall not exceed
and all that
follows and inserting shall not exceed $100,000,000.
.
Eligibility requirements for matching payments
Amount of aggregate contributions per State
Section 9033(b)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking $5,000
and
inserting $25,000
.
Contribution limit
In general
Paragraph (4) of section 9033(b) of such Code is amended to read as follows:
the candidate and the authorized committees of the candidate will not accept aggregate contributions from any person with respect to the nomination for election to the office of President of the United States in excess of $1,000.
.
Conforming amendments
Section 9033(b) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new flush sentence:
For purposes of paragraph (4), the term contribution has the meaning given such term in section 301(8) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
.
Section 9032(4) of
such Code, as amended by section 101(a)(3)(A) is amended by inserting or
9033(b)
after 9034
.
Ban on contributions by lobbyists and PACs
Section 9033(b) of such Code, as amended by subsection (b), is amended—
by striking
and
at the end of paragraph (3);
by striking the
period at the end of paragraph (4) and inserting , and
;
and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
the candidate and the authorized committee of the candidate will not accept—
any contribution from—
an individual who is a current registrant under section 4(a)(1) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, or
an individual who is listed on a current registration filed under section 4(b)(6) of such Act or a current report under section 5(b)(2)(C) of such Act,
any bundled contribution (as defined in section 304(i)(8)) forwarded by or credited to a person described in section 304(i)(7), and
any contribution from a political committee other than a political committee of a political party.
.
Participation in system for payments for general election
Section 9033(b) of such Code, as amended by subsection (c), is amended—
by striking
and
at the end of paragraph (4);
by striking the
period at the end of paragraph (5) and inserting , and
;
and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
if the candidate is nominated by a political party for election to the office of President, the candidate will apply for and accept payments with respect to the general election for such office in accordance with chapter 95.
.
Inflation adjustment for contribution limitations and matching contributions
Section 9033 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
Inflation adjustments
In general
In the case of any applicable period beginning after 2012, each of the dollar amounts in subsection (b)(4) and section 9034(b) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
such dollar amount, multiplied by
the cost-of-living
adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year following the
year which such applicable period begins, determined by substituting
calendar year 2012
for calendar year 1992
in
subparagraph (B) thereof.
Applicable period
For purposes of this subsection, the term applicable period means the 4-year period beginning with the first day following the date of the last general election for the office of President and ending on the date of the next such general election.
Rounding
If any amount as adjusted under paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $100.
.
Repeal of expenditure limitations
In general
Subsection (a) of section 9035 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
Personal expenditure limitation
No candidate shall knowingly make expenditures from his personal funds, or the personal funds of his immediate family, in connection with his campaign for nomination for election to the office of President in excess of, in the aggregate, $50,000.
.
Conforming amendment
Paragraph (1) of section 9033(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
the candidate will comply with the personal expenditure limitation under section 9035,
.
Period of availability of matching payments
Section 9032(6) of such Code is amended by
striking the beginning of the calendar year in which a general election
for the office of President of the United States will be held
and
inserting the date that is 6 months prior to the date of the earliest
State primary election
.
Examination and audits of matchable contributions
Section 9038(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 is amended by inserting and matchable contributions accepted
by
after qualified campaign expenses of
.
Modification to limitation on contributions for presidential primary candidates
Section 315(a)(6) of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)(6)) is amended by striking
calendar year
and inserting four-year election
cycle
.
General elections
Modification of eligibility requirements for public financing
Section 9003(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
In general
In order to be eligible to receive any payments under section 9006, the candidates of a political party in a presidential election shall meet the following requirements:
Participation in primary payment system
The candidate for President received payments under chapter 96 for the campaign for nomination for election to be President.
Agreements with Commission
The candidates, in writing—
agree to obtain and furnish to the Commission such evidence as it may request of the qualified campaign expenses of such candidates,
agree to keep and furnish to the Commission such records, books, and other information as it may request, and
agree to an audit and examination by the Commission under section 9007 and to pay any amounts required to be paid under such section.
Ban on certain contributions and solicitations
The candidates certify to the Commission, under penalty of perjury, the following:
Lobbyists and PACs
Such candidates and the authorized committees of such candidates will not accept—
any contribution from—
an individual who is a current registrant under section 4(a)(1) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, or
an individual who is listed on a current registration filed under section 4(b)(6) of such Act or a current report under section 5(b)(2)(C) of such Act,
any bundled contribution (as defined in section 304(i)(8)) forwarded by or credited to a person described in section 304(i)(7), and
any contribution from a political committee other than a political committee of a political party.
Solicitations for joint fundraising committees
Such candidates and their authorized committees will not, after June 1 of the election year, solicit any funds for any joint fundraising committee that includes any committee of a political party.
Solicitation for political parties
Such candidates and their authorized committees will not, after the date described in section 9006(b), solicit any funds for any committee of a political party.
.
Repeal of expenditure limitations and use of qualified campaign contributions
Major parties
Subsection (b) of section 9003 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
Major parties
In order to be eligible to receive any payments under section 9006, the candidates of a major party in a presidential election shall certify to the Commission, under penalty of perjury, that—
such candidates and their authorized committees have not and will not accept any contributions to defray qualified campaign expenses other than—
qualified campaign contributions, and
contributions to the extent necessary to make up any deficiency payments received out of the fund on account of the application of section 9006(c), and
such candidates and their authorized committees have not and will not accept any contribution to defray expenses which would be qualified campaign expenses but for subparagraph (C) of section 9002(11).
.
Minor and new parties
Subsection (c) of section 9003 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
Minor and new parties
In order to be eligible to receive any payments under section 9006, the candidates of a minor or new party in a presidential election shall certify to the Commission, under penalty of perjury, that such candidates and their authorized committees have not and will not accept any contributions to defray qualified campaign expenses other than—
qualified campaign contributions, and
contributions other than qualified campaign contributions to the extent to which—
the aggregate payments to which such candidates would be entitled under section 9004 if such candidates were candidates of a major party, exceed
the aggregate payments to which such candidates are entitled to under section 9004.
.
Definition of qualified campaign contributions
Section 9002 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Qualified campaign contribution
The term qualified campaign contribution means, with respect to any election for the office of President of the United States, a contribution from an individual to a candidate or an authorized committee of a candidate which—
is made after June 1 of the year in which the election is held,
does not exceed $500, and
with respect to which the candidate has certified in writing that—
the individual making such contribution has not made aggregate contributions (including such qualified contribution) to such candidate and the authorized committees of such candidate in excess of $500 with respect to such election, and
such candidate and the authorized committees of such candidate will not accept contributions from such individual (including such qualified contribution) aggregating more than $500 with respect to such election.
.
Conforming amendments
Repeal of expenditure limits
Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a) is amended by striking subsection (b).
Section 315(c) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 441a(c)) is amended—
in
paragraph (1)(B)(i), by striking , (b)
; and
in
paragraph (2)(B)(i), by striking subsections (b) and (d)
and
inserting subsection (d)
.
Limitation on payments to candidates of minor and new parties
Paragraph (1) of
section 9004(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting
, other than qualified contributions,
after
contributions
.
Repayments
Section 9007(b) of such Code is amended by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) as paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), respectively.
Paragraph (2) of
section 9007(b) of such Code, as redesignated by subparagraph (A), is amended
by inserting qualified contributions and
after
contributions (other than
.
Criminal penalties
Excess expenses
Section 9012(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking the first sentence.
Contributions
Candidates of major parties
Section 9012(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 is amended by inserting other than qualified contributions,
after to defray qualified campaign expenses,
.
Candidates of other parties
Section 9012(b)(2) of such Code is amended by
inserting , other than qualified contributions,
after
contributions
.
Matching payments and other modifications to payment amounts
In general
Amount of payments for major party candidates
Subsection (a) of section 9004 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
In general
Subject to the provisions of this chapter—
Major parties
The eligible candidates of each major party in a presidential election shall be entitled to equal payment under section 9006 in an amount equal to—
$50,000,000, plus
an amount equal to 400 percent of the amount of each matchable contribution received by such candidate on or after June 1 of the year of the presidential election, or by his authorized committees.
Pre-election payments for minor and new parties
Payment based on prior votes received by party
In general
The eligible candidates of a minor party in a presidential election shall be entitled to equal payment under section 9006 in an amount equal to the sum of—
the product of the popular vote ratio with respect to such minor party and the amount in effect under paragraph (1)(A), plus
an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the amount of each matchable contribution received by such candidate on or after June 1 of the year of the presidential election, or by his authorized committees.
Popular vote ratio with respect to a minor party
For purposes of this subparagraph, the popular vote ratio with respect to a minor party is the ratio of the number of popular votes received by the candidate for President of the minor party, as such candidate, in the preceding presidential election to the average number of popular votes received by the candidates for President of the major parties in the preceding presidential election.
Applicable percentage
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the applicable percentage is the product of 400 percent and the popular vote ratio with respect to such minor party.
Payment based on prior votes received by candidate
In general
If the candidate of one or more political parties (not
including a major party) for the office of President was a candidate for such
office in the preceding presidential election and received 5 percent or more
but less than 25 percent of the total number of popular votes received by all
candidates for such office, such candidate and his running mate for the office
of Vice President, upon compliance with the provisions of section 9003(a) and
(c), shall be treated as eligible candidates entitled to payments under section
9006 in an amount computed as provided in subparagraph (A), determined by
substituting the popular vote ratio with respect to such
candidate
for the popular vote ratio with respect to such minor
party
each place it appears.
Popular vote ratio with respect to a candidate
For purposes of this subparagraph, the popular vote ratio with respect to a candidate is the ratio of the number of popular votes received by such candidate for the office of President in the preceding presidential election to the average number of popular votes received by the candidates for President of the major parties in the preceding presidential election.
Coordination rule
If eligible candidates of a minor party are entitled to payments under this subparagraph, such entitlement shall be reduced by the amount of the entitlement allowed under subparagraph (A).
Post-election payments for minor and new parties
In general
The eligible candidates of a minor party or a new party in a presidential election whose candidate for President in such election receives, as such candidate, 5 percent or more of the total number of popular votes cast for the office of President in such election shall be entitled to payments under section 9006 equal to the sum of—
the product of the popular vote ratio with respect to such candidate and the amount in effect under paragraph (1)(A), plus
an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the amount of each matchable contribution received by such candidate on or after June 1 of the year of the presidential election, or by his authorized committees.
Popular vote ratio with respect to a candidate
For purposes of this paragraph, the popular vote ratio with respect to a candidate in a presidential election is the ratio of the number of popular votes received by such candidate for the office of President in such election to the average number of popular votes received by the candidates for President of the major parties in such election.
Applicable percentage
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the applicable percentage is the product of 400 percent and the popular vote ratio with respect to such candidate.
Coordination rule
In the case of eligible candidates entitled to payments under paragraph (2), the amount allowable under this paragraph shall be limited to the amount, if any, by which the entitlement under the preceding sentence exceeds the amount of the entitlement under paragraph (2).
.
Conforming amendment
Section 9005(a) is amended by adding at the end the
following new sentence: The Commission shall make such additional
certifications as may be necessary to receive payments under section
9004.
.
Matchable contribution
Section 9002 of such Code, as amended by section 202, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Matchable contribution
The term matchable contribution means, with respect to the election to the office of President of the United States, a contribution by an individual to a candidate or an authorized committee of a candidate—
which does not exceed $200, and
with respect to which the candidate has certified in writing that—
the individual making such contribution has not made aggregate contributions (including such matchable contribution) to such candidate and the authorized committees of such candidate in excess of $200 with respect to such election,
such candidate and the authorized committees of such candidate will not accept contributions from such individual (including such matchable contribution) aggregating more than $200 with respect to such election, and
such contribution was not—
forwarded from the contributor from any person other than an individual, or
received by the candidate or committee from a contributor or contributors, but credited by the committee or candidate to another person who is not an individual through records, designations, or other means of recognizing that a certain amount of money has been raised by such person.
.
Inflation adjustment for payment amounts and qualified contributions
Section 9004 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
Inflation adjustments
In general
In the case of any applicable period beginning after 2016, each of the dollar amounts in subsection (a)(1), section 9002(13), and section 9002(14) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
such dollar amount, multiplied by
the cost-of-living
adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year following the
year which such applicable period begins, determined by substituting
calendar year 2016
for calendar year 1992
in
subparagraph (B) thereof.
Applicable period
For purposes of this subsection, the term applicable period means the 4-year period beginning with the first day following the date of the last general election for the office of President and ending on the date of the next such general election.
Rounding
If any amount as adjusted under paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $100.
.
Increase in limit on coordinated party expenditures
In general
Section 315(d)(2) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(d)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
The national committee of a political party may not make any expenditure in connection with the general election campaign of any candidate for President of the United States who is affiliated with such party which exceeds $50,000,000.
For purposes of this paragraph—
any expenditure made by or on behalf of a national committee of a political party and in connection with a presidential election shall be considered to be made in connection with the general election campaign of a candidate for President of the United States who is affiliated with such party; and
any communication made by or on behalf of such party shall be considered to be made in connection with the general election campaign of a candidate for President of the United States who is affiliated with such party if any portion of the communication is in connection with such election.
Any expenditure under this paragraph shall be in addition to any expenditure by a national committee of a political party serving as the principal campaign committee of a candidate for the office of President of the United States.
.
Conforming amendments relating to timing of cost-of-Living adjustment
In general
Section 315(c)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 441a(c)(1)), as amended by section 202(d)(1)(B), is amended—
in subparagraph
(B), by striking (d)
and inserting (d)(3)
;
and
by inserting at the end the following new subparagraph:
In any calendar year after 2016—
the dollar amount in subsection (d)(2) shall be increased by the percent difference determined under subparagraph (A);
the amount so increased shall remain in effect for the calendar year; and
if the amount after adjustment under clause (i) is not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $100.
.
Base year
Section 315(c)(2)(B) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 441a(c)(2)(B)), as amended by section 202(d)(1)(B), is amended—
in clause (i)—
by
striking (d)
and inserting (d)(3)
; and
by
striking and
at the end;
in clause (ii), by
striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
by adding at the end the following new clause:
for purposes of subsection (d)(2), calendar year 2015.
.
Establishment of uniform date for release of payments
Date for payments
In general
Section 9006(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
Payments from the Fund
If the Secretary of the Treasury receives a certification from the Commission under section 9005 for payment to the eligible candidates of a political party, the Secretary shall pay to such candidates out of the fund the amount certified by the Commission on the later of—
the last Friday occurring before the first Monday in September, or
24 hours after receiving the certifications for the eligible candidates of all major political parties.
.
Conforming Amendment
The first sentence of section 9006(c) of such Code is
amended by striking the time of a certification by the Commission under
section 9005 for payment
and inserting the time of making a
payment under subsection (b)
.
Time for certification
Section 9005(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 is amended by striking 10 days
and inserting 24
hours
.
Amounts in Presidential Election Campaign Fund
Determination of amounts in fund
Section
9006(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end
the following new sentence: In making a determination of whether there
are insufficient moneys in the fund for purposes of the previous sentence, the
Secretary shall take into account in determining the balance of the fund for a
Presidential election year the Secretary’s best estimate of the amount of
moneys which will be deposited into the fund during the year, except that the
amount of the estimate may not exceed the average of the annual amounts
deposited in the fund during the previous 3 years.
.
Special rule for first campaign cycle under this Act
In general
Section 9006 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
Special authority To borrow
In general
Notwithstanding subsection (c), there are authorized to be appropriated to the fund, as repayable advances, such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of the fund during the period ending on the first presidential election occurring after the date of the enactment of this subsection.
Repayment of advances
In general
Advances made to the fund shall be repaid, and interest on such advances shall be paid, to the general fund of the Treasury when the Secretary determines that moneys are available for such purposes in the fund.
Rate of interest
Interest on advances made to the fund shall be at a rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury (as of the close of the calendar month preceding the month in which the advance is made) to be equal to the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States with remaining periods to maturity comparable to the anticipated period during which the advance will be outstanding and shall be compounded annually.
.
Effective date
The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect January 1, 2013.
Use of general election payments for general election legal and accounting compliance
Section 9002(11) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following
new sentence: For purposes of subparagraph (A), an expense incurred by a
candidate or authorized committee for general election legal and accounting
compliance purposes shall be considered to be an expense to further the
election of such candidate.
.
Political conventions
Repeal of public financing of party conventions
In general
Chapter 95 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking section 9008.
Conforming amendments
Section 9006(c) of
such Code is amended by striking section 9008(b)(3)
.
Section 9009 of
such Code is amended by inserting and
at the end of paragraph
(3), by striking the semi-colon at the end of paragraph (4) and inserting a
period, and by striking paragraphs (5) and (6).
Section 9012 of such Code, as amended by section 202(d)(4), is amended—
by striking subsection (a) and redesignating subsections (b) through (f) as subsections (a) through (e), respectively; and
in subsection (a), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2).
Section 9037(a) of
such Code is amended by striking and for payments under section
9008(b)(3)
.
Contributions for political conventions
Separate contribution limitation
Individuals
In general
Subsection (a)(1) of section 315 of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a) is amended by striking or
at the end of subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end of
subparagraph (D) and inserting ; or
, and by adding at the end
the following new subparagraph:
to the national nominating convention account of political committees established and maintained by a national political party, in any 4-year period ending on the last day of the calendar year beginning on the day after a general election for the office of President which, in the aggregate, exceed the dollar amount in effect under subparagraph (B);
.
Conforming amendment
Subparagraph (B) of section 315(a)(1) of such Act (2
U.S.C. 441a(a)(1)) is amended by inserting (other than to the national
nominating convention accounts of such political committees which are described
in subparagraph (E))
after national political
party
.
Aggregate contribution limitation
Paragraph (3) of section 315(a) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new flush sentence:
The dollar amount in subparagraph (B) shall be increased by the amount of contributions (not in excess of the dollar amount in effect under subparagraph (E)) made to the national nominating convention account of a political committee established and maintained by a national political party during the period described in the preceding sentence.
.
National nominating convention account
Subsection (a) of section 315 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 441a) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
For purposes of this subsection, the national nomination convention account of any political committees established and maintained by a national political party is a separate account the funds of which may only be used to defray the costs of the national nominating convention of such party.
.
Prohibition on use of soft money
Section 323 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441i) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
National conventions
Any person described in subsection (a) or (e) shall not solicit, receive, direct, transfer, or spend any funds in connection with a presidential nominating convention of any political party, including funds from or for a host committee, civic committee, municipality, or any other person or entity spending funds in connection with such a convention, unless such funds—
are not in excess of the amounts permitted with respect to contributions to the political committee established and maintained by a national political party committee under section 315; and
are not from sources prohibited by this Act from making contributions in connection with an election for Federal office.
.
Other provisions
Revisions to designation of income tax payments by individual taxpayers
Increase in amount designated
Section 6096(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—
in the first
sentence, by striking $3
each place it appears and inserting
$10
; and
in the second sentence—
by striking
$6
and inserting $20
; and
by striking
$3
and inserting $10
.
Indexing
Section 6096 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
Indexing of amount designated
In general
With respect to each taxable year after 2012, each amount referred to in subsection (a) shall be increased by the percent difference described in paragraph (2), except that if any such amount after such an increase is not a multiple of $1, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $1.
Percent difference described
The percent difference described in this paragraph with respect to a taxable year is the percent difference determined under section 315(c)(1)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 with respect to the calendar year during which the taxable year begins, except that the base year involved shall be 2011.
.
Ensuring tax preparation software does not provide automatic response to designation question
Section 6096 of such Code, as amended by subsection (b), is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
Ensuring tax preparation software does not provide automatic response to designation question
The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to ensure that electronic software used in the preparation or filing of individual income tax returns does not automatically accept or decline a designation of a payment under this section.
.
Public information program on designation
Section 6096 of such Code, as amended by subsections (b) and (c), is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
Public information program
In general
The Federal Election Commission shall conduct a program to inform and educate the public regarding the purposes of the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, the procedures for the designation of payments under this section, and the effect of such a designation on the income tax liability of taxpayers.
Use of funds for program
Amounts in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund shall
be made available to the Federal Election Commission to carry out the program
under this subsection, except that the amount made available for this purpose
may not exceed $10,000,000 with respect to any Presidential election cycle. In
this paragraph, a Presidential election cycle
is the 4-year
period beginning with January of the year following a Presidential
election.
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall take effect January 1, 2013.
Regulations with respect to best efforts for identifying persons making contributions
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Election Commission shall promulgate regulations with respect to what constitutes best efforts under section 302(i) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 432(i)) for determining the identification of persons making contributions to political committees, including the identifications of persons making contributions over the Internet or by credit card. Such regulations shall include a requirement that in the case of contributions made by a credit card, the political committee shall ensure that the name on the credit card used to make the contribution matches the name of the person making the contribution.
Prohibition on joint fundraising committees
In general
Section 302(e) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 432(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
No authorized committee of a candidate may establish a joint fundraising committee with a political committee other than an authorized committee of a candidate.
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall take effect on January 1, 2013.
Disclosure of bundled contributions to presidential campaigns
In general
Paragraphs (1) through (3) of section 304(i) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434(i)) are amended to read as follows:
In general
Disclosure of bundled contributions by lobbyists
Each committee described in paragraph (6) shall include in the first report required to be filed under this section after each covered period (as defined in paragraph (2)) a separate schedule setting forth the name, address, and employer of each person reasonably known by the committee to be a person described in paragraph (7) who provided 2 or more bundled contributions to the committee in an aggregate amount greater than the applicable threshold (as defined in paragraph (3)) during the covered period, and the aggregate amount of the bundled contributions provided by each such person during the covered period.
Disclosure of bundled contributions to presidential campaigns
Each committee which is an authorized committee of a candidate for the office of President or for nomination to such office shall include in the first report required to be filed under this section after each covered period (as defined in paragraph (2)) a separate schedule setting forth the name, address, and employer of each person who provided 2 or more bundled contributions to the committee in an aggregate amount greater than the applicable threshold (as defined in paragraph (3)) during the election cycle, and the aggregate amount of the bundled contributions provided by each such person during the covered period and such election cycle. Such schedule shall include a separate listing of the name, address, and employer of each person included on such schedule who is reasonably known by the committee to be a person described in paragraph (7), together with the aggregate amount of bundled contributions provided by such person during such period and such cycle.
Covered period
In this subsection, a covered period means—
with respect to a committee which is an authorized committee of a candidate for the office of President or for nomination to such office—
the 4-year election cycle ending with the date of the election for the office of the President; and
any reporting period applicable to the committee under this section during which any person provided 2 or more bundled contributions to the committee; and
with respect to any other committee—
the period beginning January 1 and ending June 30 of each year;
the period beginning July 1 and ending December 31 of each year; and
any reporting period applicable to the committee under this section during which any person described in paragraph (7) provided 2 or more bundled contributions to the committee in an aggregate amount greater than the applicable threshold.
Applicable threshold
In general
In this subsection, the applicable threshold is—
$50,000 in the case of a committee which is an authorized committee of a candidate for the office of President or for nomination to such office; and
$15,000 in the case of any other committee.
Indexing
In
any calendar year after 2016, section 315(c)(1)(B) shall apply to each amount
applicable under subparagraph (A) in the same manner as such section applies to
the limitations established under subsections (a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), (a)(3), and
(h) of such section, except that for purposes of applying such section to the
amount applicable under subparagraph (A), the base period
shall
be
2015.
.
Conforming amendments
Subsection (i) of section 304 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 434) is amended—
in paragraph (5),
by striking described in paragraph (7)
each place it appears in
subparagraphs (C) and (D);
in paragraph (6),
by inserting (other than a candidate for the office of President or for
nomination to such office)
after candidate
; and
in paragraph (8)(A)—
by striking
, with respect to a committee described in paragraph (6) and a person
described in paragraph (7),
and inserting , with respect to a
committee described in paragraph (6) or an authorized committee of a candidate
for the office of President or for nomination to such office,
;
by striking
by the person
in clause (i) thereof and inserting by any
person
; and
by striking
the person
each place it appears in clause (ii) and inserting
such person
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to reports filed under section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 after January 1, 2013.
Judicial review of actions related to campaign finance laws
In general
Title IV of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 451 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 406 the following new section:
Judicial review
In general
If any action is brought for declaratory or injunctive relief to challenge the constitutionality of any provision of this Act or of chapter 95 or 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or is brought to with respect to any action of the Commission under chapter 95 or 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the following rules shall apply:
The action shall be filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and an appeal from the decision of the district court may be taken to the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
In the case of an action relating to declaratory or injunctive relief to challenge the constitutionality of a provision—
a copy of the complaint shall be delivered promptly to the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate; and
it shall be the duty of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and the Supreme Court of the United States to advance on the docket and to expedite to the greatest possible extent the disposition of the action and appeal.
Intervention by Members of Congress
In any action in which the constitutionality of any provision of this Act or chapter 95 or 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is raised, any member of the House of Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress) or Senate shall have the right to intervene either in support of or opposition to the position of a party to the case regarding the constitutionality of the provision. To avoid duplication of efforts and reduce the burdens placed on the parties to the action, the court in any such action may make such orders as it considers necessary, including orders to require intervenors taking similar positions to file joint papers or to be represented by a single attorney at oral argument.
Challenge by Members of Congress
Any Member of Congress may bring an action, subject to the special rules described in subsection (a), for declaratory or injunctive relief to challenge the constitutionality of any provision of this Act or chapter 95 or 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
.
Conforming amendments
In general
Section 310 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 437h) is repealed.
Section 9011 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
Judicial review
For provisions relating to judicial review of certifications, determinations, and actions by the Commission under this chapter, see section 407 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
.
Section 9041 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
Judicial review
For provisions relating to judicial review of actions by the Commission under this chapter, see section 407 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
.
Section 403 of the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002 (2 U.S.C. 437h note) is repealed.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to actions brought on or after January 1, 2013.
Severability and effective date
Severability
If any provision of this Act or amendment made by this Act, or the application of a provision or amendment to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act and amendments made by this Act, and the application of the provisions and amendment to any person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.
Effective date
Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to elections occurring after January 1, 2013.