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Naval Appropriations Bill is passed
The first federal effort to regulate campaign finance is contained in this law, which prohibited government employees from soliciting, or "shaking down," contributions from navy yard workers. -
Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act is passed
Done in response to the assassination of President Garfield, the previous 1867 Bill is extended to pertain to all civil service workers. Now, all government jobs are required to be based on merit, rather than afifiliation. -
President Teddy Roosevelt delivers Fifth Annual Message to Congress
In this, Roosevelt speaks about the need for the use of money in politics to be reformed and the potential for abuse if corporations are allowed free rein on campaign ocntributions. Eventually introduced major legislation. -
Tillman Act is passed
This law under Roosevelt's administration banned corporations and national banks from directly contributing to congressional and federal campaigns. Contained many loopholes and was widely a failure -
The Federal Corrupt Practices Act is passed
Also known as the Publicity Act, this law was the main source of regulation until the early 1970s. Established disclosure requirements for House candidates, and was amended the following year to apply to Senate members too. -
Newberry v. United States is decided
The Federal Corrupt Practices Act is ruled unconstitutional, under the argument that Congress doesn't have the power to regulate monetary elements of federal elections. -
Federal Corrupt Practices Act is revised
The previous 1910 law is amended, with provisions concerning banning of corporation contributions, disclosure of all contributions above $50, and certain spending limits. Served as the main source of regulation until 1971, despite numerous loopholes. -
Hatch Acts are amended
Legislation passed in the previous year is amended to now include disclosure requirements for donations over $5,000 to federal candidates or political committees, and banning individuals and businesses working for the federal government to contribute to candidates -
First PAC is formed
In this year, the first political action committee was formed by the Congress of Industrial Organizations to raise money for the reelection of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Consisted of voluntary contributions from labor union members. -
Taft-Hartley Act is enacted
Banned contributions to federal candidates from unions, corporations, and interstate banks, and made this for primaries as well as general elections. -
Revenue Act of 1971 is enacted
A companion piece to FECA, this law established a public financing method for federal candidates through provisions of voluntary one-dollar checkoffs on tax forms -
Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) is enacted
Providing the most extensive reform in this area since 50 years prior, FECA repealed the previous Corrupt Practices act created a comprehensive framework of regulation of campaigns and general elections. Also mandated timely disclosure requirements, a maximum amount for media advertising, and established limits on contributions of family members of candidates -
FECA is amended
The previous law goes under major revision, and new provisions introduce more spending limits on individuals, politial parties, and PACs, as well as the complete establishment of public financing for President, and the establishment of a new government organization, the Federal Election Commission to oversee all these matters. -
Buckley v. Valeo is decided
A Supreme Court case with a plaintiff of Senators who challenged restrictions in the FECA as being violators of freedom of speech. The Court agreed, overturning expenditure limits by or on behalf of the candidate, keeping the rest of the law intact. -
Additional Amendments to FECA are enforced
President Carter enforced into law additional amendments, including simplification of disclosure requirements and making it possible for individuals and corporations to donate unlimited amounts of money through a loophole -
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act is passed
The most sweeping campaign reform to be passed in 30 years, this law banned unlimited contribution of money to parties and national party committees, and eliminated issue advertising directly prior to a primary or general election -
Supreme Court upholds BRCA
Challenged by both parties, the Supreme Court upholds the law, preserving the soft money ban and restrictions on political ads -
Citizens United v. FEC is decided
This landmark decision by the Supreme Court got rid of the corporate and union ban on making independent expenditures and financing electioneering communications, as well as giving corporations and unions the ability to spend unlimited sums of money on ads and other political tools
