[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 74 (Thursday, May 23, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5604-S5609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE SENATE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM ACT OF 1996

                                 ______


                 McCAIN (AND OTHERS) AMENDMENT NO. 4038

  (Ordered to lie on the table.)
  Mr. McCAIN (for himself, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Wellstone, 
Mr. Graham, Mr. Simon, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Kerrey, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Kohl, 
Mr. Dodd, and Mr. Bingaman) submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed by them to the bill (S. 1764) to authorize appropriations for 
fiscal year 1997 for military construction, and for other purposes; 
from the Committee on Armed Services; as follows:

       At the end of the bill, insert the following new title:
                  TITLE ____--CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

     SEC. ____01. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Senate Campaign Finance 
     Reform Act of 1996''.

     SEC. ____02. AMENDMENT OF CAMPAIGN ACT; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Amendment of FECA.--When used in this title, the term 
     ``FECA'' means the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 
     U.S.C. 431 et seq.).
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this title 
     is as follows:

                  TITLE ____--CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

Sec. ____01. Short title.
Sec. ____02. Amendment of Campaign Act; table of contents.

        Subtitle A--Senate Election Spending Limits and Benefits

Sec. ____11. Senate election spending limits and benefits.
Sec. ____12. Free broadcast time.
Sec. ____13. Broadcast rates and preemption.
Sec. ____14. Reduced postage rates.
Sec. ____15. Contribution limit for eligible Senate candidates.

          Subtitle B--Reduction of Special Interest Influence

  Chapter 1--Elimination Of Political Action Committees From Federal 
                          Election Activities

Sec. ____21. Ban on activities of political action committees in 
              Federal elections.

   Chapter 2--Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Parties

Sec. ____31. National committees.
Sec. ____32. State, district, and local committees.
Sec. ____33. Tax-exempt organizations.
Sec. ____34. Candidates.
Sec. ____35. Reporting requirements.

     Chapter 3--Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties

Sec. ____41. Soft money of persons other than political parties.

                        Chapter 4--Contributions

Sec. ____51. Contributions through intermediaries and conduits.

          Chapter 5--Additional Prohibitions on Contributions

Sec. ____61. Allowable contributions for complying candidates.

                  Chapter 6--Independent Expenditures

Sec. ____71. Clarification of definitions relating to independent 
              expenditures.

                  Subtitle C--Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec. ____81. Restrictions on use of campaign funds for personal 
              purposes.
Sec. ____82. Campaign advertising amendments.
Sec. ____83. Filing of reports using computers and facsimile machines.
Sec. ____84. Audits.
Sec. ____85. Limit on congressional use of the franking privilege.
Sec. ____86. Authority to seek injunction.
Sec. ____87. Severability.
Sec. ____88. Expedited review of constitutional issues.
Sec. ____89. Reporting requirements.
Sec. ____90. Effective date.
Sec. ____91. Regulations.
        Subtitle A--Senate Election Spending Limits and Benefits

     SEC. ____11. SENATE ELECTION SPENDING LIMITS AND BENEFITS.

       (a) In General.--FECA is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new title:
 ``TITLE V--SPENDING LIMITS AND BENEFITS FOR SENATE ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

     ``SEC. 501. CANDIDATES ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE BENEFITS.

       ``(a) In General.--For purposes of this title, a candidate 
     is an eligible Senate candidate if the candidate--
       ``(1) meets the primary and general election filing 
     requirements of subsections (c) and (d);
       ``(2) meets the primary and runoff election expenditure 
     limits of subsection (b);
       ``(3) meets the threshold contribution requirements of 
     subsection (e); and
       ``(4) does not exceed the limitation on expenditures from 
     personal funds under section 502(a).
       ``(b) Primary and Runoff Expenditure Limits.--
       ``(1) In general.--The requirements of this subsection are 
     met if--
       ``(A) the candidate or the candidate's authorized 
     committees did not make expenditures for the primary election 
     in excess of the lesser of--
       ``(i) 67 percent of the general election expenditure limit 
     under section 502(b); or
       ``(ii) $2,750,000; and
       ``(B) the candidate and the candidate's authorized 
     committees did not make expenditures for any runoff election 
     in excess of 20 percent of the general election expenditure 
     limit under section 502(b).
       ``(2) Indexing.--The $2,750,000 amount under paragraph 
     (1)(A)(ii) shall be increased as of the beginning of each 
     calendar year based on the increase in the price index 
     determined under section 315(c), except that the base period 
     shall be calendar year 1995.
       ``(c) Primary Filing Requirements.--
       ``(1) In general.--The requirements of this subsection are 
     met if the candidate files with the Secretary of the Senate a 
     certification that--
       ``(A) the candidate and the candidate's authorized 
     committees--
       ``(i) will meet the primary and runoff election expenditure 
     limits of subsection (b); and
       ``(ii) will only accept contributions for the primary and 
     runoff elections which do not exceed such limits;
       ``(B) the candidate and the candidate's authorized 
     committees will meet the limitation on expenditures from 
     personal funds under section 502(a); and
       ``(C) the candidate and the candidate's authorized 
     committees will meet the general election expenditure limit 
     under section 502(b).
       ``(2) Deadline for filing certification.--The certification 
     under paragraph (1) shall be filed not later than the date 
     the candidate files as a candidate for the primary election.
       ``(d) General Election Filing Requirements.--
       ``(1) In general.--The requirements of this subsection are 
     met if the candidate files a certification with the Secretary 
     of the Senate under penalty of perjury that--
       ``(A) the candidate and the candidate's authorized 
     committees--
       ``(i) met the primary and runoff election expenditure 
     limits under subsection (b); and
       ``(ii) did not accept contributions for the primary or 
     runoff election in excess of the primary or runoff 
     expenditure limit under subsection (b), whichever is 
     applicable, reduced by any amounts transferred to this 
     election cycle from a preceding election cycle;
       ``(B) at least one other candidate has qualified for the 
     same general election ballot under the law of the State 
     involved;
       ``(C) the candidate and the authorized committees of the 
     candidate--
       ``(i) except as otherwise provided by this title, will not 
     make expenditures that exceed the general election 
     expenditure limit under section 502(b);
       ``(ii) will not accept any contributions in violation of 
     section 315; and
       ``(iii) except as otherwise provided by this title, will 
     not accept any contribution for the general election involved 
     to the extent that such contribution would cause the 
     aggregate amount of contributions to exceed the sum of the 
     amount of the general election expenditure limit under 
     section 502(b), reduced by any amounts transferred to this 
     election cycle from a previous election cycle and not taken 
     into account under subparagraph (A)(ii); and
       ``(D) the candidate intends to make use of the benefits 
     provided under section 503.
       ``(2) Deadline for filing certification.--The certification 
     under paragraph (1) shall be filed not later than 7 days 
     after the earlier of--
       ``(A) the date the candidate qualifies for the general 
     election ballot under State law; or
       ``(B) if under State law, a primary or runoff election to 
     qualify for the general election ballot occurs after 
     September 1, the date the candidate wins the primary or 
     runoff election.
       ``(e) Threshold Contribution Requirements.--
       ``(1) In general.--The requirements of this subsection are 
     met if the candidate and the candidate's authorized 
     committees have received allowable contributions during the 
     applicable period in an amount at least equal to the lesser 
     of--
       ``(A) 10 percent of the general election expenditure limit 
     under section 502(b); or
       ``(B) $250,000.
       ``(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this title--
       ``(A) the term `allowable contributions' means 
     contributions that are made as gifts of money by an 
     individual pursuant to a written instrument identifying such 
     individual as the contributor, except that such term shall 
     not include contributions from individuals residing outside 
     the candidate's State to the extent such contributions exceed 
     40 percent of the aggregate allowable contributions (without 
     regard to this subparagraph) received by the candidate during 
     the applicable period; and
       ``(B) the term `applicable period' means--
       ``(i) the period beginning on January 1 of the calendar 
     year preceding the calendar year of the general election 
     involved and ending on the date on which the certification

[[Page S5605]]

     under subsection (c)(2) is filed by the candidate; or
       ``(ii) in the case of a special election for the office of 
     United States Senator, the period beginning on the date the 
     vacancy in such office occurs and ending on the date of the 
     general election.

     ``SEC. 502. LIMITATION ON EXPENDITURES.

       ``(a) Limitation on Use of Personal Funds.--
       ``(1) In general.--The aggregate amount of expenditures 
     that may be made during an election cycle by an eligible 
     Senate candidate or such candidate's authorized committees 
     from the sources described in paragraph (2) shall not exceed 
     the lesser of--
       ``(A) 10 percent of the general election expenditure limit 
     under subsection (b); or
       ``(B) $250,000.
       ``(2) Sources.--A source is described in this subsection if 
     it is--
       ``(A) personal funds of the candidate and members of the 
     candidate's immediate family; or
       ``(B) personal loans incurred by the candidate and members 
     of the candidate's immediate family.
       ``(3) Amended declaration.--A candidate who--
       ``(A) declares, pursuant to this Act, that the candidate 
     does not intend to expend funds described in paragraph (2) in 
     excess of $250,000; and
       ``(B) subsequently changes such declaration or expends such 
     funds in excess of that amount,
     shall file an amended declaration with the Commission and 
     notify all other candidates for the same office not later 
     than 24 hours after changing such declaration or exceeding 
     such limits, whichever first occurs, by sending a notice by 
     certified mail, return receipt requested.
       ``(b) General Election Expenditure Limit.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
     title, the aggregate amount of expenditures for a general 
     election by an eligible Senate candidate and the candidate's 
     authorized committees shall not exceed the lesser of--
       ``(A) $5,500,000; or
       ``(B) the greater of--
       ``(i) $950,000; or
       ``(ii) $400,000; plus

       ``(I) 30 cents multiplied by the voting age population not 
     in excess of 4,000,000; and
       ``(II) 25 cents multiplied by the voting age population in 
     excess of 4,000,000.

       ``(2) Exception.--In the case of an eligible Senate 
     candidate in a State that has not more than 1 transmitter for 
     a commercial Very High Frequency (VHF) television station 
     licensed to operate in that State, paragraph (1)(B)(ii) shall 
     be applied by substituting--
       ``(A) `80 cents' for `30 cents' in subclause (I); and
       ``(B) `70 cents' for `25 cents' in subclause (II).
       ``(3) Indexing.--The amount otherwise determined under 
     paragraph (1) for any calendar year shall be increased by the 
     same percentage as the percentage increase for such calendar 
     year under section 501(b)(2).
       ``(c) Payment of Taxes.--The limitation under subsection 
     (b) shall not apply to any expenditure for Federal, State, or 
     local taxes with respect to earnings on contributions raised.
       ``(d) Special Exception for Complying Candidates Running 
     Against Non-Complying Candidates.--If in the case of an 
     election with more than one candidate where one or more 
     candidates who have received contributions in excess of 10 
     percent of the general election limits contained in this Act 
     or has expended personal funds in excess of 10 percent of the 
     general election limits contained in this Act choose not to 
     comply with the provisions of this Act or violate the 
     limitations on expenditures contained in this Act, such 
     limitations contained in section 502(b) of this Act for the 
     complying candidate(s) shall be increased by 20 percent.''

     ``SEC. 503. BENEFITS ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES ENTITLED TO RECEIVE.

       ``An eligible Senate candidate shall be entitled to 
     receive--
       ``(1) the broadcast media rates provided under section 
     315(b) of the Communications Act of 1934;
       ``(2) the free broadcast time provided under section 315(c) 
     of such Act; and
       ``(3) the reduced postage rates provided in section 3626(e) 
     of title 39, United States Code.

     ``SEC. 504. CERTIFICATION BY COMMISSION.

       ``(a) In General.--Not later than 48 hours after an 
     eligible candidate qualifies for a general election ballot, 
     the Commission shall certify the candidate's eligibility for 
     free broadcast time under section 315(b)(2) of the 
     Communications Act of 1934. The Commission shall revoke such 
     certification if it determines a candidate fails to continue 
     to meet the requirements of this title.
       ``(b) Determinations by Commission.--All determinations 
     (including certifications under subsection (a)) made by the 
     Commission under this title shall be final, except to the 
     extent that they are subject to examination and audit by the 
     Commission under section 505.

     ``SEC. 505. REPAYMENTS; ADDITIONAL CIVIL PENALTIES.

       ``(a) Excess Payments; Revocation of Status.--If the 
     Commission revokes the certification of a candidate as an 
     eligible Senate candidate under section 504(a), the 
     Commission shall notify the candidate, and the candidate 
     shall pay an amount equal to the value of the benefits 
     received under this title.
       ``(b) Misuse of Benefits.--If the Commission determines 
     that any benefit made available to an eligible Senate 
     candidate under this title was not used as provided for in 
     this title, or that a candidate has violated any of the 
     spending limits contained in this Act, the Commission shall 
     so notify the candidate and the candidate shall pay an amount 
     equal to the value of such benefit.''.
       (b) Transition Period.--Expenditures made before January 1, 
     1997, shall not be counted as expenditures for purposes of 
     the limitations contained in the amendment made by subsection 
     (a).

     SEC. ____12. FREE BROADCAST TIME.

       (a) In General.--Section 315 of the Communications Act of 
     1934 (47 U.S.C. 315) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``within the meaning of this subsection'' 
     and inserting ``within the meaning of this subsection and 
     subsection (c)'';
       (B) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
     (d) and (e), respectively; and
       (C) by inserting immediately after subsection (b) the 
     following new subsection:
       ``(c)(1) An eligible Senate candidate who has qualified for 
     the general election ballot shall be entitled to receive a 
     total of 30 minutes of free broadcast time from broadcasting 
     stations within the State or an adjacent State.
       ``(2)(A) Unless a candidate elects otherwise, the broadcast 
     time made available under this subsection shall be between 
     6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on any day that falls on Monday 
     through Friday.
       ``(B) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, a candidate 
     may use such time as the candidate elects except that such 
     time may not be used in intervals of less than 30 seconds or 
     more than 5 minutes.
       ``(C) A candidate may not request more than 15 minutes of 
     free broadcast time be aired by any one broadcasting station.
       ``(3)(A) In the case of an election among more than 2 
     candidates, the broadcast time provided under paragraph (1) 
     shall be allocated as follows:
       ``(i) The amount of broadcast time that shall be provided 
     to the candidate of a minor party shall be equal to the 
     number of minutes allocable to the State multiplied by the 
     percentage of the number of popular votes received by the 
     candidate of that party in the preceding general election for 
     the Senate in the State (or if subsection (d)(4)(B) applies, 
     the percentage determined under such subsection).
       ``(ii) The amount of broadcast time remaining after 
     assignment of broadcast time to minor party candidates under 
     clause (i) shall be allocated equally between the major party 
     candidates.
       ``(B) In the case of an election where only 1 candidate 
     qualifies to be on the general election ballot, no time shall 
     be required to be provided by a licensee under this 
     subsection.
       ``(4) The Federal Election Commission shall by regulation 
     exempt from the requirements of this subsection--
       ``(A) a licensee whose signal is broadcast substantially 
     nationwide; and
       ``(B) a licensee that establishes that such requirements 
     would impose a significant economic hardship on the 
     licensee.''; and
       (2) in subsection (d), as redesignated--
       (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
       (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(3) the term `major party' means, with respect to an 
     election for the United States Senate in a State, a political 
     party whose candidate for the United States Senate in the 
     preceding general election for the Senate in that State 
     received, as a candidate of that party, 25 percent or more of 
     the number of popular votes received by all candidates for 
     the Senate;
       ``(4) the term `minor party' means, with respect to an 
     election for the United States Senate in a State, a political 
     party--
       ``(A) whose candidate for the United States Senate in the 
     preceding general election for the Senate in that State 
     received 5 percent or more but less than 25 percent of the 
     number of popular votes received by all candidates for the 
     Senate; or
       ``(B) whose candidate for the United States Senate in the 
     current general election for the Senate in that State has 
     obtained the signatures of at least 5 percent of the State's 
     registered voters, as determined by the chief voter 
     registration official of the State, in support of a petition 
     for an allocation of free broadcast time under this 
     subsection; and
       ``(5) the term `Senate election cycle' means, with respect 
     to an election to a seat in the United States Senate, the 6-
     year period ending on the date of the general election for 
     that seat.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to general elections occurring after December 31, 
     1996 (and the election cycles relating thereto).

     SEC. ____13. BROADCAST RATES AND PREEMPTION.

       (a) Broadcast Rates.--Section 315(b) of the Communications 
     Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 315(b)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``(b) The changes'' and inserting ``(b)(1) 
     The changes'';
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
       (3) in paragraph (1)(A), as redesignated--

[[Page S5606]]

       (A) by striking ``forty-five'' and inserting ``30''; and
       (B) by striking ``lowest unit charge of the station for the 
     same class and amount of time for the same period'' and 
     inserting ``lowest charge of the station for the same amount 
     of time for the same period on the same date''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) In the case of an eligible Senate candidate (as 
     described in section 501(a) of the Federal Election Campaign 
     Act), the charges for the use of a television broadcasting 
     station during the 30-day period and 60-day period referred 
     to in paragraph (1)(A) shall not exceed 50 percent of the 
     lowest charge described in paragraph (1)(A).''.
       (b) Preemption; Access.--Section 315 of such Act (47 U.S.C. 
     315), as amended by section ____12(a), is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as 
     redesignated, as subsections (e) and (f), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting immediately after subsection (c) the 
     following subsection:
       ``(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a licensee 
     shall not preempt the use, during any period specified in 
     subsection (b)(1)(A), of a broadcasting station by an 
     eligible Senate candidate who has purchased and paid for such 
     use pursuant to subsection (b)(2).
       ``(2) If a program to be broadcast by a broadcasting 
     station is preempted because of circumstances beyond the 
     control of the broadcasting station, any candidate 
     advertising spot scheduled to be broadcast during that 
     program may also be preempted.''.
       (c) Revocation of License for Failure To Permit Access.--
     Section 312(a)(7) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 
     U.S.C. 312(a)(7)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``or repeated'';
       (2) by inserting ``or cable system'' after ``broadcasting 
     station''; and
       (3) by striking ``his candidacy'' and inserting ``the 
     candidacy of such person, under the same terms, conditions, 
     and business practices as apply to its most favored 
     advertiser''.
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to the general elections occurring after December 
     31, 1995 (and the election cycles relating thereto).

     SEC. ____14. REDUCED POSTAGE RATES.

       (a) In General.--Section 3626(e) of title 39, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) by striking ``and the National'' and inserting ``the 
     National''; and
       (ii) by inserting before the semicolon the following: ``, 
     and, subject to paragraph (3), the principal campaign 
     committee of an eligible Senate candidate;'';
       (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (D) by adding after subparagraph (C) the following new 
     subparagraphs:
       ``(D) the term `principal campaign committee' has the 
     meaning given such term in section 301 of the Federal 
     Election Campaign Act of 1971; and
       ``(E) the term `eligible Senate candidate' has the meaning 
     given such term in section 501(a) of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971.''; and
       (2) by adding after paragraph (2) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(3) The rate made available under this subsection with 
     respect to an eligible Senate candidate shall apply only to 
     that number of pieces of mail equal to 2 times the number of 
     individuals in the voting age population (as certified under 
     section 315(e) of such Act) of the State.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to the general elections occurring after December 
     31, 1996 (and the election cycles relating thereto).

     SEC. ____15. CONTRIBUTION LIMIT FOR ELIGIBLE SENATE 
                   CANDIDATES.

       Section 315(a)(1) of FECA (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)(1)) is 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting ``except as provided in subparagraph 
     (B),'' before ``to'' in subparagraph (A);
       (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as 
     subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and
       (3) by inserting immediately after subparagraph (A) the 
     following new subparagraph:
       ``(B) to any eligible Senate candidate and the authorized 
     political committees of such candidate with respect to any 
     election for the office of United States Senator (if any 
     other Senate candidate chooses not to comply with the 
     expenditure limits contained in this Act and has received 
     contributions in excess of 10 percent of the general election 
     limits contained in this Act or has expended personal funds 
     in excess of 10 percent of the general election limits 
     contained in this Act) which, in the aggregate, exceed 
     $2,000;''.
          Subtitle B--Reduction of Special Interest Influence

  CHAPTER 1--ELIMINATION OF POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES FROM FEDERAL 
                          ELECTION ACTIVITIES

     SEC. ____21. BAN ON ACTIVITIES OF POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES 
                   IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

       (a) In General.--Title III of FECA (2 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new section:


  ``BAN ON FEDERAL ELECTION ACTIVITIES BY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES

       ``Sec. 324. Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
     Act, no person other than an individual or a political 
     committee may make contributions, solicit or receive 
     contributions, or make expenditures for the purpose of 
     influencing an election for Federal office.''.
       (b) Definition of Political Committee.--(1) Section 301(4) 
     of FECA (2 U.S.C. 431(4)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(4) The term `political committee' means--
       ``(A) the principal campaign committee of a candidate;
       ``(B) any national, State, or district committee of a 
     political party, including any subordinate committee thereof;
       ``(C) any local committee of a political party that--
       ``(i) receives contributions aggregating in excess of 
     $5,000 during a calendar year;
       ``(ii) makes payments exempted from the definition of 
     contribution or expenditure under paragraph (8) or (9) 
     aggregating in excess of $5,000 during a calendar year; or
       ``(iii) makes contributions or expenditures aggregating in 
     excess of $1,000 during a calendar year; and
       ``(D) any committee jointly established by a principal 
     campaign committee and any committee described in 
     subparagraph (B) or (C) for the purpose of conducting joint 
     fundraising activities.''.
       (2) Section 316(b)(2) of FECA (2 U.S.C. 441b(b)(2)) is 
     amended--
       (A) by inserting ``or'' after ``subject;'';
       (B) by striking ``and their families; and'' and inserting 
     ``and their families.''; and
       (C) by striking subparagraph (C).
       (c) Candidate's Committees.--(1) Section 315(a) of FECA (2 
     U.S.C. 441a(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(9) For the purposes of the limitations provided by 
     paragraphs (1) and (2), any political committee that is 
     established, financed, maintained, or controlled, directly or 
     indirectly, by any candidate or Federal officeholder shall be 
     deemed to be an authorized committee of such candidate or 
     officeholder.''.
       (2) Section 302(e)(3) of FECA (2 U.S.C. 432) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(3) No political committee that supports, or has 
     supported, more than one candidate may be designated as an 
     authorized committee, except that--
       ``(A) a candidate for the office of President nominated by 
     a political party may designate the national committee of 
     such political party as the candidate's principal campaign 
     committee, if that national committee maintains separate 
     books of account with respect to its functions as a principal 
     campaign committee; and
       ``(B) a candidate may designate a political committee 
     established solely for the purpose of joint fundraising by 
     such candidates as an authorized committee.''.
       (d) Rules Applicable When Ban Not in Effect.--(1) For 
     purposes of FECA, during any period beginning after the 
     effective date in which the limitation under section 324 of 
     that Act (as added by subsection (a)) is not in effect--
       (A) the amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c) 
     shall not be in effect;
       (B) it shall be unlawful for a multicandidate political 
     committee, intermediary, or conduit (as that term is defined 
     in section 315(a)(8) of FECA, as amended by section ____51 of 
     this title), to make a contribution to a candidate for 
     election, or nomination for election, to Federal office (or 
     an authorized committee) to the extent that the making or 
     accepting of the contribution will cause the amount of 
     contributions received by the candidate and the candidate's 
     authorized committees from multicandidate political 
     committees to exceed 20 percent of the aggregate Federal 
     election spending limits applicable to the candidate for the 
     election cycle; and
       (C) it shall be unlawful for a political committee, 
     intermediary, or conduit, as that term is defined in section 
     315(a)(8) of FECA (as amended by section ____51 of this 
     title), to make a contribution to a candidate for election, 
     or a nomination for an election, to Federal office (or an 
     authorized committee of such candidate) in excess of the 
     amount an individual is allowed to give directly to a 
     candidate or a candidate's authorized committee.
       (2) A candidate or authorized committee that receives a 
     contribution from a multicandidate political committee in 
     excess of the amount allowed under paragraph (1)(B) shall 
     return the amount of such excess contribution to the 
     contributor.

   CHAPTER 2--PROVISIONS RELATING TO SOFT MONEY OF POLITICAL PARTIES

     SEC. ____31. NATIONAL COMMITTEES.

       A national committee of a political party, including the 
     national congressional campaign committees of a political 
     party, and any officers or agents of such party committees, 
     shall not solicit or receive any contributions, donations, or 
     transfers of funds, or spend any funds, not subject to the 
     limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements of this 
     title. This provision shall apply to any entity that is 
     established, financed, maintained or controlled by a national 
     committee of a political party, including the national 
     congressional campaign committees of a political party, and 
     any officer or agents of such party committees, other than an 
     entity that is regulated by section ____32 of this Act.

[[Page S5607]]

     SEC. ____32. STATE, DISTRICT, AND LOCAL COMMITTEES.

       (a) Any amount expended or disbursed by a State, district, 
     or local committee of a political party, during a calendar 
     year in which a Federal election is held, for any activity 
     which might affect the outcome of a Federal election, 
     including but not limited to any voter registration and get-
     out-the-vote activity, any generic campaign activity, and any 
     communication that identifies a Federal candidate (regardless 
     of whether a State or local candidate is also mentioned or 
     identified) shall be made from funds subject to the 
     limitations, prohibitions and reporting requirements of this 
     title.
       (b) Paragraph (a) shall not apply to expenditures or 
     disbursements made by a State, district or local committee of 
     a political party for--
       (1) a contribution to a candidate other than for Federal 
     office, provided that such contribution is not designated or 
     otherwise earmarked to pay for activities described in 
     subparagraph (a) above;
       (2) the costs of a State or district/local political 
     convention;
       (3) the non-Federal share of a State, district or local 
     party committee's administrative and overhead expenses (but 
     not including the compensation in any month of any individual 
     who spends more than 20 percent of his or her time on 
     activity during such month which may affect the outcome of a 
     Federal election). For purposes of this provision, the non-
     federal share of a party committee's administrative and 
     overhead expenses shall be determined by applying the ratio 
     of the non-Federal disbursements to the total Federal 
     expenditures and non-Federal disbursements made by the 
     committee during the previous presidential election year to 
     the committee's administrative and overhead expenses in the 
     election year in question;
       (4) the costs of grassroots campaign materials, including 
     buttons, bumper stickers, and yard signs, which material 
     solely name or depict a State or local candidate; and
       (5) the cost of any campaign activity conducted solely on 
     behalf of a clearly identified State or local candidate, 
     provided that such activity is not covered by subparagraph 
     (a) above.
       (c) Any amount spent by a national, State, district or 
     local committee or entity of a political party to raise funds 
     that are used, in whole or in part, to pay the costs of any 
     activity covered by paragraph 2(a) above shall be made from 
     funds subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting 
     requirements of this title.
       This provision shall apply to any entity that is 
     established, financed, maintained, or controlled by a State, 
     district or local committee of a political party or any agent 
     or officer of such party committee in the same manner as it 
     applies to that committee.

     SEC. ____33. TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS.

       No national, State, district or local committee of a 
     political party shall solicit any funds for or make any 
     donations to any organization that is exempt from Federal 
     taxation under 26 U.S.C. 501(c).

     SEC. ____34. CANDIDATES.

       No candidate for Federal office, individual holding Federal 
     office, or any agent of such candidate or officeholder, may 
     solicit or receive any funds in connection with any Federal 
     election unless such funds are subject to the limitations, 
     prohibitions and reporting requirements of this title. This 
     provision shall not apply to the solicitation or receipt of 
     funds by an individual who is a candidate for a non-Federal 
     office if such activity is permitted under State law for such 
     individual's non-Federal campaign committee.

     SEC. ____35. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) Reporting Requirements.--Section 304 of FECA (2 U.S.C. 
     434) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(d) Political Committees.--(1) The national committee of 
     a political party, any congressional campaign committee of a 
     political party, and any subordinate committee of either, 
     shall report all receipts and disbursements during the 
     reporting period, whether or not in connection with an 
     election for Federal office.
       ``(2) A political committee (not described in paragraph 
     (1)) to which section 325 applies shall report all receipts 
     and disbursements including separate schedules for receipts 
     and disbursements for any State Party Grassroots Fund 
     described in section 301(21).
       ``(3) Any political committee to which section 325 applies 
     shall include in its report under paragraph (1) or (2) the 
     amount of any transfer described in section 325(d)(2) and 
     shall itemize such amounts to the extent required by 
     subsection (b)(3)(A).
       ``(4) Any political committee to which paragraph (1) or (2) 
     does not apply shall report any receipts or disbursements 
     that are used in connection with a Federal election.
       ``(5) If a political committee has receipts or 
     disbursements to which this subsection applies from any 
     person aggregating in excess of $200 for any calendar year, 
     the political committee shall separately itemize its 
     reporting for such person in the same manner as required in 
     subsection (b) (3)(A), (5), or (6).
       ``(6) Reports required to be filed under this subsection 
     shall be filed for the same time periods required for 
     political committees under subsection (a).''.
       (b) Report of Exempt Contributions.--Section 301(8) of FECA 
     (2 U.S.C. 431(8)) is amended by inserting at the end the 
     following:
       ``(C) The exclusion provided in subparagraph (B)(viii) 
     shall not apply for purposes of any requirement to report 
     contributions under this Act, and all such contributions 
     aggregating in excess of $200 shall be reported.''.
       (c) Reports by State Committees.--Section 304 of FECA (2 
     U.S.C. 434), as amended by subsection (a), is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e) Filing of State Reports.--In lieu of any report 
     required to be filed by this Act, the Commission may allow a 
     State committee of a political party to file with the 
     Commission a report required to be filed under State law if 
     the Commission determines such reports contain substantially 
     the same information.''.
       (d) Other Reporting Requirements.--
       (1) Authorized committees.--Section 304(b)(4) of FECA (2 
     U.S.C. 434(b)(4)) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (H);
       (B) by inserting ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (I); 
     and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(J) in the case of an authorized committee, disbursements 
     for the primary election, the general election, and any other 
     election in which the candidate participates;''.
       (2) Names and addresses.--Section 304(b)(5)(A) of FECA (2 
     U.S.C. 434(b)(5)(A)) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``within the calendar year''; and
       (B) by inserting ``, and the election to which the 
     operating expenditure relates'' after ``operating 
     expenditure''.

     CHAPTER 3--SOFT MONEY OF PERSONS OTHER THAN POLITICAL PARTIES

     SEC. ____41. SOFT MONEY OF PERSONS OTHER THAN POLITICAL 
                   PARTIES.

       Section 304 of FECA (2 U.S.C. 434), as amended by section 
     ____35(c), is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(f) Election Activity of Persons Other Than Political 
     Parties.--(1)(A)(i) If any person to which section 325 does 
     not apply makes (or obligates to make) disbursements for 
     activities described in section 325(b) in excess of $2,000, 
     such person shall file a statement--
       ``(I) on or before the date that is 48 hours before the 
     disbursements (or obligations) are made; or
       ``(II) in the case of disbursements (or obligations) that 
     are required to be made within 14 days of the election, on or 
     before such 14th day.
       ``(ii) An additional statement shall be filed each time 
     additional disbursements aggregating $2,000 are made (or 
     obligated to be made) by a person described in clause (i).
       ``(B) This paragraph shall not apply to--
       ``(i) a candidate or a candidate's authorized committees; 
     or
       ``(ii) an independent expenditure (as defined in section 
     301(17)).
       ``(2) Any statement under this section shall be filed with 
     the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of 
     Representatives, and the Secretary of State (or equivalent 
     official) of the State involved, as appropriate, and shall 
     contain such information as the Commission shall prescribe, 
     including whether the disbursement is in support of, or in 
     opposition to, 1 or more candidates or any political party. 
     The Secretary of the Senate or Clerk of the House of 
     Representatives shall, as soon as possible (but not later 
     than 24 hours after receipt), transmit a statement to the 
     Commission. Not later than 48 hours after receipt, the 
     Commission shall transmit the statement to--
       ``(A) the candidates or political parties involved; or
       ``(B) if the disbursement is not in support of, or in 
     opposition to, a candidate or political party, the State 
     committees of each political party in the State involved.
       ``(3) The Commission may make its own determination that 
     disbursements described in paragraph (1) have been made or 
     are obligated to be made. The Commission shall notify the 
     candidates or political parties described in paragraph (2) 
     not later than 24 hours after its determination.''.

                        CHAPTER 4--CONTRIBUTIONS

     SEC. ____51. CONTRIBUTIONS THROUGH INTERMEDIARIES AND 
                   CONDUITS.

       Section 315(a)(8) of FECA (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)(8)) is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``(8) For the purposes of this subsection:
       ``(A) Contributions made by a person, either directly or 
     indirectly, to or on behalf of a particular candidate, 
     including contributions that are in any way earmarked or 
     otherwise directed through an intermediary or conduit to a 
     candidate, shall be treated as contributions from the person 
     to the candidate. If a contribution is made to a candidate 
     through an intermediary or conduit, the intermediary or 
     conduit shall report the original source and the intended 
     recipient of the contribution to the Commission and the 
     intended recipient.
       ``(B) Contributions made directly or indirectly by a person 
     to or on behalf of a particular candidate through an 
     intermediary or conduit, including contributions arranged to 
     be made by an intermediary or conduit, shall be treated as 
     contributions from the intermediary or conduit to the 
     candidate if--
       ``(i) the contributions made through the intermediary or 
     conduit are in the form of a

[[Page S5608]]

     check or other negotiable instrument made payable to the 
     intermediary or conduit rather than the intended recipient; 
     or
       ``(ii) the intermediary or conduit is--

       ``(I) a political committee, a political party, or an 
     officer, employee, or agent of either;

       ``(II) a person whose activities are required to be 
     reported under section 308 of the Federal Regulation of 
     Lobbying Act (2 U.S.C. 267), the Foreign Agents Registration 
     Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.), or any successor Federal 
     law requiring a person who is a lobbyist or foreign agent to 
     report the activities of such person;
       ``(III) a person who is prohibited from making 
     contributions under section 316 or a partnership; or
       ``(IV) an officer, employee, or agent of a person described 
     in subclause (II) or (III) acting on behalf of such person.

       ``(C) The term `contributions arranged to be made' 
     includes--
       ``(i)(I) contributions delivered directly or indirectly to 
     a particular candidate or the candidate's authorized 
     committee or agent by the person who facilitated the 
     contribution; and
       ``(II) contributions made directly or indirectly to a 
     particular candidate or the candidate's authorized committee 
     or agent that are provided at a fundraising event sponsored 
     by an intermediary or conduit described in subparagraph (B);
       (D) This paragraph shall not prohibit--
       ``(i) fundraising efforts for the benefit of a candidate 
     that are conducted by another candidate or Federal 
     officeholder; or
       ``(ii) the solicitation by an individual using the 
     individual's resources and acting in the individual's own 
     name of contributions from other persons in a manner not 
     described in paragraphs (B) and (C).''.

          CHAPTER 5--ADDITIONAL PROHIBITIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS

     SEC. ____61. ALLOWABLE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR COMPLYING 
                   CANDIDATES.

       For the purposes of this Federal Election Campaign Act of 
     1971, in order for a candidate to be considered to be in 
     compliance with the spending limits contained in such Act, 
     not less than 60 percent of the total dollar amount of all 
     contributions from individuals to a candidate or a 
     candidate's authorized committee, not including any 
     expenditures, contributions or loans made by the candidate, 
     shall come from individuals legally residing in the 
     candidate's State.

                  CHAPTER 6--INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES

     SEC. ____71. CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITIONS RELATING TO 
                   INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES.

       (a) Independent Expenditure Definition Amendment.--Section 
     301 of FECA (2 U.S.C. 431) is amended by striking paragraphs 
     (17) and (18) and inserting the following:
       ``(17)(A) The term `independent expenditure' means an 
     expenditure that--
       ``(i) contains express advocacy; and
       ``(ii) is made without the participation or cooperation of, 
     or without the consultation of, a candidate or a candidate's 
     representative.
       ``(B) The following shall not be considered an independent 
     expenditure:
       ``(i) An expenditure made by--
       ``(I) an authorized committee of a candidate for Federal 
     office, or
       ``(II) a political committee of a political party.
       ``(ii) An expenditure if there is any arrangement, 
     coordination, or direction with respect to the expenditure 
     between the candidate or the candidate's agent and the person 
     making the expenditure.
       ``(iii) An expenditure if, in the same election cycle, the 
     person making the expenditure is or has been--
       ``(I) authorized to raise or expend funds on behalf of the 
     candidate or the candidate's authorized committees; or
       ``(II) serving as a member, employee, or agent of the 
     candidate's authorized committees in an executive or 
     policymaking position.
       ``(iv) An expenditure if the person making the expenditure 
     has advised or counseled the candidate or the candidate's 
     agents at any time on the candidate's plans, projects, or 
     needs relating to the candidate's pursuit of nomination for 
     election, or election, to Federal office, in the same 
     election cycle, including any advice relating to the 
     candidate's decision to seek Federal office.
       ``(v) An expenditure if the person making the expenditure 
     retains the professional services of any individual or other 
     person also providing services in the same election cycle to 
     the candidate in connection with the candidate's pursuit of 
     nomination for election, or election, to Federal office, 
     including any services relating to the candidate's decision 
     to seek Federal office. For purposes of this clause, the term 
     `professional services' shall include any services (other 
     than legal and accounting services solely for purposes of 
     ensuring compliance with any Federal law) in support of any 
     candidate's or candidates' pursuit of nomination for 
     election, or election, to Federal office.
     For purposes of this subparagraph, the person making the 
     expenditure shall include any officer, director, employee, or 
     agent of such person.

       ``(18)(A) The term `express advocacy' means when a 
     communication is taken as a whole and with limited reference 
     to external events, an expression of support for or 
     opposition to a specific candidate, to a specific group of 
     candidates, or to candidates of a particular political party.
       ``(B) The term `expression of support for or opposition to' 
     includes a suggestion to take action with respect to an 
     election, such as to vote for or against, make contributions 
     to, or participate in campaign activity, or to refrain from 
     taking action.''.
       (b) Contribution Definition Amendment.--Section 301(8)(A) 
     of FECA (2 U.S.C. 431(8)(A)) is amended--
       (1) in clause (i), by striking ``or'' after the semicolon 
     at the end;
       (2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
       ``(iii) any payment or other transaction referred to in 
     paragraph (17)(A)(i) that is not an independent expenditure 
     under paragraph (17).''.
                  Subtitle C--Miscellaneous Provisions

     SEC. ____81. RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS FOR 
                   PERSONAL PURPOSES.

       (a) Restrictions on Use of Campaign Funds.--Title III of 
     FECA (2 U.S.C. 431 et seq.), as amended by section ____21, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new section:


     ``RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS FOR PERSONAL PURPOSES

       ``Sec. 326. (a) An individual who receives contributions as 
     a candidate for Federal office--
       ``(1) shall use such contributions only for legitimate and 
     verifiable campaign expenses; and
       ``(2) shall not use such contributions for any inherently 
     personal purpose.
       ``(b) As used in this subsection--
       ``(1) the term `campaign expenses' means expenses 
     attributable solely to bona fide campaign purposes; and
       ``(2) the term `inherently personal purpose' means a 
     purpose that, by its nature, confers a personal benefit, 
     including a home mortgage rent or utility payment, clothing 
     purchase, noncampaign automobile expense, country club 
     membership, vacation, or trip of a noncampaign nature, 
     household food items, tuition payment, admission to a 
     sporting event, concert, theatre or other form of 
     entertainment not associated with a campaign, dues, fees, or 
     contributions to a health club or recreational facility and 
     any other inherently personal living expense as determined 
     under the regulations promulgated pursuant to section 302(b) 
     of the Senate Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1996.''.
       (b) Regulations.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this title, the Federal Election Commission 
     shall promulgate regulations consistent with this title to 
     implement subsection (a). Such regulations shall apply to all 
     contributions possessed by an individual on the date of 
     enactment of this title.

     SEC. ____82. CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING AMENDMENTS.

       Section 318 of FECA (2 U.S.C. 441d) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking ``Whenever'' and inserting ``Whenever a 
     political committee makes a disbursement for the purpose of 
     financing any communication through any broadcasting station, 
     newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising facility, mailing, 
     or any other type of general public political advertising, or 
     whenever'';
       (ii) by striking ``an expenditure'' and inserting ``a 
     disbursement''; and
       (iii) by striking ``direct''; and
       (B) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``and permanent street 
     address'' after ``name''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
       ``(c) Any printed communication described in subsection (a) 
     shall be--
       ``(1) of sufficient type size to be clearly readable by the 
     recipient of the communication;
       ``(2) contained in a printed box set apart from the other 
     contents of the communication; and
       ``(3) consist of a reasonable degree of color contrast 
     between the background and the printed statement.
       ``(d)(1) Any broadcast or cablecast communication described 
     in subsection (a)(1) or subsection (a)(2) shall include, in 
     addition to the requirements of those subsections, an audio 
     statement by the candidate that identifies the candidate and 
     states that the candidate has approved the communication.
       ``(2) If a broadcast or cablecast communication described 
     in paragraph (1) is broadcast or cablecast by means of 
     television, the communication shall include, in addition to 
     the audio statement under paragraph (1), a written statement 
     which--
       ``(A) appears at the end of the communication in a clearly 
     readable manner with a reasonable degree of color contrast 
     between the background and the printed statement, for a 
     period of at least 4 seconds; and
       ``(B) is accompanied by a clearly identifiable photographic 
     or similar image of the candidate.
       ``(e) Any broadcast or cablecast communication described in 
     subsection (a)(3) shall include, in addition to the 
     requirements of those subsections, in a clearly spoken 
     manner, the following statement: `________________ is 
     responsible for the content of this advertisement.' (with the 
     blank to be filled in with the name of the political 
     committee or other person paying for the communication and 
     the name of any connected organization of the payor). If 
     broadcast or cablecast by means of television, the

[[Page S5609]]

     statement shall also appear in a clearly readable manner with 
     a reasonable degree of color contrast between the background 
     and the printed statement, for a period of at least 4 
     seconds.''.

     SEC. ____83. FILING OF REPORTS USING COMPUTERS AND FACSIMILE 
                   MACHINES.

       Section 302(g) of FECA (2 U.S.C. 432(g)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(6)(A) The Commission, in consultation with the Secretary 
     of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, 
     may prescribe regulations under which persons required to 
     file designations, statements, and reports under this Act--
       ``(i) are required to maintain and file them for any 
     calendar year in electronic form accessible by computers if 
     the person has, or has reason to expect to have, aggregate 
     contributions or expenditures in excess of a threshold amount 
     determined by the Commission; and
       ``(ii) may maintain and file them in that manner if not 
     required to do so under regulations prescribed under clause 
     (i).
       ``(B) The Commission, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, 
     shall prescribe regulations which allow persons to file 
     designations, statements, and reports required by this Act 
     through the use of facsimile machines.
       ``(C) In prescribing regulations under this paragraph, the 
     Commission shall provide methods (other than requiring a 
     signature on the document being filed) for verifying 
     designations, statements, and reports covered by the 
     regulations. Any document verified under any of the methods 
     shall be treated for all purposes (including penalties for 
     perjury) in the same manner as a document verified by 
     signature.
       ``(D) The Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the 
     House of Representatives shall ensure that any computer or 
     other system that they may develop and maintain to receive 
     designations, statements, and reports in the forms required 
     or permitted under this paragraph is compatible with any such 
     system that the Commission may develop and maintain.''.

     SEC. ____84. AUDITS.

       (a) Random Audits.--Section 311(b) of FECA (2 U.S.C. 
     438(b)) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Commission''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Commission may 
     after all elections are completed conduct random audits and 
     investigations to ensure voluntary compliance with this Act. 
     The subjects of such audits and investigations shall be 
     selected on the basis of criteria established by vote of at 
     least 4 members of the Commission to ensure impartiality in 
     the selection process. This paragraph does not apply to an 
     authorized committee of a candidate for President or Vice 
     President subject to audit under title VI or to an authorized 
     committee of an eligible Senate candidate or an eligible 
     House candidate subject to audit under section 522(a).''.
       (b) Extension of Period During Which Campaign Audits May Be 
     Begun.--Section 311(b) of FECA (2 U.S.C. 438(b)) is amended 
     by striking ``6 months'' and inserting ``12 months''.

     SEC. ____85. LIMIT ON CONGRESSIONAL USE OF THE FRANKING 
                   PRIVILEGE.

       Section 3210(a)(6)(A) of title 39, United States Code, is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(A) A Member of Congress shall not mail any mass mailing 
     as franked mail during a year in which there will be an 
     election for the seat held by the Member during the period 
     between January 1 of that year and the date of the general 
     election for that Office, unless the Member has made a public 
     announcement that the Member will not be a candidate for 
     reelection to that year or for election to any other Federal 
     office.''.

     SEC. ____86. AUTHORITY TO SEEK INJUNCTION.

       Section 309(a) of FECA (2 U.S.C. 437g(a)) is amended--
       (1) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(13)(A) If, at any time in a proceeding described in 
     paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4), the Commission believes 
     that--
       ``(i) there is a substantial likelihood that a violation of 
     this Act is occurring or is about to occur;
       ``(ii) the failure to act expeditiously will result in 
     irreparable harm to a party affected by the potential 
     violation;
       ``(iii) expeditious action will not cause undue harm or 
     prejudice to the interests of others; and
       ``(iv) the public interest would be best served by the 
     issuance of an injunction,
     the Commission may initiate a civil action for a temporary 
     restraining order or a temporary injunction pending the 
     outcome of the proceedings described in paragraphs (1), (2), 
     (3), and (4).
       ``(B) An action under subparagraph (A) shall be brought in 
     the United States district court for the district in which 
     the defendant resides, transacts business, or may be found, 
     or in which the violation is occurring, has occurred, or is 
     about to occur.'';
       (2) in paragraph (7), by striking ``(5) or (6)'' and 
     inserting ``(5), (6), or (13)''; and
       (3) in paragraph (11), by striking ``(6)'' and inserting 
     ``(6) or (13)''.

     SEC. ____87. SEVERABILITY.

       If any provision of this title, an amendment made by this 
     title, or the application of such provision or amendment to 
     any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, 
     the remainder of this title, the amendments made by this 
     title, and the application of the provisions of such to any 
     person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.

     SEC. ____88. EXPEDITED REVIEW OF CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES.

       (a) Direct Appeal to Supreme Court.--An appeal may be taken 
     directly to the Supreme Court of the United States from any 
     interlocutory order or final judgment, decree, or order 
     issued by any court ruling on the constitutionality of any 
     provision of this title or amendment made by this title.
       (b) Acceptance and Expedition.--The Supreme Court shall, if 
     it has not previously ruled on the question addressed in the 
     ruling below, accept jurisdiction over, advance on the 
     docket, and expedite the appeal to the greatest extent 
     possible.

     SEC. ____89. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) Contributors.--Section 302(c)(3) of FECA (2 U.S.C. 
     432(c)(3)) is amended by striking ``$200'' and inserting 
     ``$50''.
       (b) Disbursements.--Section 302(c)(5) of FECA (2 U.S.C. 
     432(c)(5)) is amended by striking ``$200'' and inserting 
     ``$50''.

     SEC. ____90. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       Except as otherwise provided in this title, the amendments 
     made by, and the provisions of, this title shall take effect 
     on January 1, 1997.

     SEC. ____91. REGULATIONS.

       The Federal Election Commission shall prescribe any 
     regulations required to carry out this title not later than 9 
     months after the effective date of this title.

                          ____________________