TITLE I—HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION SPENDING
LIMITS AND BENEFITS
Sec. 101. House of Representatives election spending limits and benefits.
Sec. 102. Broadcast rates and preemption.
Sec. 103. Reduced postage rates.
Sec. 104. Contribution limitations for House of Representatives candidates.
Sec. 105. Reporting requirements.
TITLE II—REDUCTION OF SPECIAL INTEREST INFLUENCE
Subtitle A—Provisions Relating to Political Action Committees
Sec. 201. Prohibition of leadership committees; excess contributions.
Sec. 202. Aggregate limit on certain contributions.
Sec. 203. Contributions by lobbyists.
Sec. 204. Limitation on financial support provided to political committees by
connected organizations.
Subtitle B—Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Parties
Sec. 211. Soft money of political parties.
Sec. 212. Reporting requirements.
Sec. 213. Building fund exception to the definition of the term ‘‘contribution’’.
Subtitle C—Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties
Sec. 221. Soft money of persons other than political parties.
Subtitle D—Contributions
Sec. 231. Restrictions on bundling.
Sec. 232. Contributions by dependents not of voting age.
Subtitle E—Additional Prohibitions on Contributions
Sec. 241. Allowable contributions for candidates.
Subtitle F—Independent Expenditures
Sec. 251. Provisions relating to independent expenditures.
Sec. 252. Mandatory limitation on independent expenditures in House of Rep-
resentatives elections.
Sec. 253. Reporting requirements for certain independent expenditures.
Sec. 254. Designation of income tax payments to Independent Expenditure Re-
sponse Fund.
Sec. 255. Independent Expenditure Response Fund.
Sec. 256. Registration fee for multicandidate political committees.
TITLE III—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 301. Audits.
Sec. 302. Change in certain reporting from a calendar year basis to an election
cycle basis.
Sec. 303. Expedited procedures.
Sec. 304. Official Mass Mailing Allowance.
Sec. 305. Provisions relating to Members’ Official Mail Allowance.
Sec. 306. Intent of Congress.
Sec. 307. Expedited review of constitutional issues.
Sec. 308. Effective date.
Sec. 309. Regulations.
TITLE I—HOUSE OF REPRESENT-
ATIVES ELECTION SPENDING
LIMITS AND BENEFITS
SEC. 101. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION SPEND-
ING LIMITS AND BENEFITS.
The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 is
amended by adding at the end the following new title:
‘‘TITLE 
V—SPENDING 
LIMITS
AND BENEFITS FOR HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES ELEC-
TION CAMPAIGNS
‘‘SEC. 501. CANDIDATES ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE BENEFITS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of this title, a can-
didate is an eligible House of Representatives candidate
if the Commission has certified, pursuant to section 504,
that the candidate—
‘‘(1) meets the election cycle filing requirements
of subsection (b); and
‘‘(2) meets the threshold contribution require-
ments of subsection (c).
‘‘(b) FILING REQUIREMENTS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The requirements of this
subsection are met if the candidate files with the
Commission under penalty of perjury a declaration
that—
‘‘(A) the candidate and the candidate’s au-
thorized committees—
‘‘(i) will not exceed the expenditure
limits under section 502(a) and (b);
‘‘(ii) will not, in the event of a runoff
election, accept contributions in excess of
the runoff expenditure limit, reduced by
any amounts transferred to this election
cycle from a preceding election cycle; and
‘‘(iii) will not accept any contributions
in violation of section 315; and
‘‘(B) the candidate intends to make use of
the benefits provided under section 503.
‘‘(2) DEADLINE FOR FILING DECLARATION.—
The declaration under paragraph (1) shall be filed
the date the candidate files as a candidate for the
primary election. In the case of a candidate who is
not eligible to participate in a primary election but
qualifies for the general election ballot under State
law, the declaration under paragraph (1) shall be
filed not later than the date the candidate qualifies
for the general election ballot under State law.
‘‘(3) NOTIFICATION.—A candidate who—
‘‘(A) files a declaration pursuant to sub-
section (b)(1) of this Act; and
‘‘(B) subsequently acts in a manner incon-
sistent with any of the limitations or require-
ments of the declaration filed under subsection
(b)(1) shall file a notification regarding such
acts with the Commission not later than 24
hours after the first such act inconsistent with
any of the limitations or requirements and shall
at the same time notify all other candidates for
the same office by sending a copy of the notifi-
cation filed with the Commission by certified
mail, return receipt requested.
‘‘(c) THRESHOLD CONTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The requirements of this
subsection are met if the candidate and the can-
didate’s authorized committees have received allow-
able contributions during the applicable period in an
amount equal to 10 percent of the election cycle ex-
penditure limit under section 502(a), and file with
the Commission under penalty of perjury a state-
ment with supporting materials demonstrating that
this requirement has been met.
‘‘(2) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this
Act—
‘‘(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 in-
clude contributions from individuals residing
outside the candidate’s State to the extent such
contributions exceed 25 percent of the amount
set forth in paragraph (1), provided that—
‘‘(i) no more than $200 of any con-
tribution from an individual shall be taken
in account; and
‘‘(ii) such term shall not include any
contribution within the meaning of section
315(a)(8), as amended by section 231; and
‘‘(B) the term ‘applicable period’ means—
‘‘(i) the period beginning on January
1 of the calendar year preceding the cal-
endar year of the general election involved
and ending on the date of the general elec-
tion; or
‘‘(ii) in the case of a special election
for the office of Representative in, or Dele-
gate or Resident Commissioner to, the
Congress, the period beginning on the date
the vacancy in such office occurs and end-
ing on the date of the general election.
‘‘SEC. 502. LIMITATION ON EXPENDITURES.
‘‘(a) ELECTION CYCLE EXPENDITURE LIMIT.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise pro-
vided in this title, the aggregate amount of expendi-
tures (other than expenditures for legal fees) for an
election cycle by an eligible House of Representatives
candidate and the candidate’s authorized committees
shall not exceed $600,000.
‘‘(2) INDEXING.—The amount under paragraph
(1) 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 1996.
‘‘(b) RUNOFF EXPENDITURE LIMITS.—The aggre-
gate amount of expenditures for a runoff election by an
eligible House of Representatives candidate and the can-
didate’s authorized committees shall not exceed 20 percent
of the election cycle expenditure limit under subsection
(a).
‘‘(c) PAYMENT
OF TAXES.—The limitation under
subsection (a) shall not apply to any expenditure for Fed-
eral, State, or local taxes with respect to earnings on con-
tributions raised.
‘‘(d) CONTESTED PRIMARY.—If, as determined by
the Commission, an eligible House of Representatives can-
didate in a contested primary wins that primary election
by a margin of 15 percent or less, the limitation contained
in subsection (a)(1) shall be increased by $200,000 for
such candidate, and such candidate shall be entitled to
raise additional contributions not to exceed this amount.
‘‘(e) RULES APPLICABLE WHEN MANDATORY ELEC-
TION CYCLE EXPENDITURE LIMIT NOT IN EFFECT.—(1)
For purposes of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971, during any period beginning after the effective date
of this Act in which the requirement of paragraph (1) is
not in effect, there shall be in effect a voluntary election
cycle expenditure limit which shall operate in the same
manner as subsection (a), except that paragraph (2) shall
also be in effect.
‘‘(2) COMPLYING CANDIDATES RUNNING AGAINST
NONCOMPLYING CANDIDATES.—(A) If in the case of an
election with more than one candidate where any can-
didate either—
‘‘(i) fails to be certified as an eligible candidate
by the Commission and has expended personal funds
in excess of 5 percent of the election cycle limits
contained in subsection (a) or has received contribu-
tions or expended personal funds which in the aggre-
gate exceed 50 percent of the election cycle limits
contained in subsection (a); or
‘‘(ii) violates the limitations on expenditures of
this Act;
an eligible candidate shall be treated as provided in sub-
paragraph (B) and a candidate referred to in clause (i)
or (ii) shall be treated as provided in subparagraph (C).
‘‘(B) The treatment referred to in subparagraph (A)
with respect to an eligible candidate is that the limitations
under subsection (a), section 323, and section 325, shall
not apply with respect to the candidate.
‘‘(C) The treatment referred to in subparagraph (A)
with respect to a candidate referred to in subparagraph
(A) (i) or (ii) is that the candidate shall pay to the Inde-
pendent Expenditure Response Fund an amount equal to
35 percent of any amount expended in excess of the limita-
tion amount under subsection (a)(1) and the candidate
shall not receive benefits under section 503 or payments
under section 252(b) of the Federal Election Reform Act
of 1996.
‘‘SEC. 503. BENEFITS ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES ENTITLED TO
RECEIVE.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (b), for
any election in which an eligible House of Representatives
candidate has at least one opponent who has qualified for
the ballot and who has raised in contributions or expended
an amount equal to 10 percent of the election cycle limit
in section 502(a), such eligible candidate shall be entitled
to receive—
‘‘(1) the broadcast media rates provided under
section 315(b) of the Communications Act of 1934;
and
‘‘(2) the reduced postage rates provided in sec-
tion 3626(e) of title 39, United States Code.
‘‘(b) PERSONAL SOURCES RULE.—(1) The aggregate
amount of expenditures that may be made during an elec-
tion cycle by an eligible House of Representatives can-
didate or such candidate’s authorized committees from the
sources described in paragraph (2) shall not exceed 5 per-
cent of the election cycle expenditure limit under sub-
section (b).
‘‘(2) 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 can-
didate and members of the candidate’s imme-
diate family.
‘‘SEC. 504. CERTIFICATION BY COMMISSION.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall determine
whether a candidate has met the requirements of this title
and, based upon that determination, shall issue a certifi-
cation stating whether or not such candidate is eligible to
receive benefits under this title.
‘‘(b) CERTIFICATION.—Upon receipt of the declara-
tion required under section 501(b) and the statement re-
quired under section 501(c), and such other information
as the Commission may by regulation require, the Com-
mission shall determine if such candidate meets the eligi-
bility requirements in section 501 and, if so, shall certify
the candidate’s eligibility for the benefits referred to in
section 503. The Commission shall revoke such certifi-
cation if, based on relevant information submitted in such
form and manner as the Commission may require or based
on relevant information that otherwise comes to its atten-
tion, it determines a candidate fails to continue to meet
any of the requirements of this title, including the limita-
tions on expenditures set forth in section 502(a) and (b).
‘‘(c) DETERMINATION BY COMMISSION.—All deter-
minations (including certifications under this section)
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 and sub-
ject to judicial review.
‘‘SEC. 505. REPAYMENTS; ADDITIONAL CIVIL PENALTIES.
‘‘(a) MISUSE OF BENEFITS.—If the Commission de-
termines that any benefit made available to an eligible
House of Representatives candidate under this title was
not used as provided for in this title, or that an eligible
candidate has violated any of the spending limits con-
tained in this Act or otherwise revokes the certification
of a candidate as an eligible House of Representatives can-
didate, the Commission shall so notify the candidate and
the candidate shall pay to the provider of such benefits
received an amount equal to the value of the benefits re-
ceived under this title.
‘‘(b) CIVIL PENALTIES.—
‘‘(1) LOW
AMOUNT
OF
EXCESS
EXPENDI-
TURES.—Any eligible House of Representatives can-
didate who makes expenditures that exceed a limita-
tion under this title by 2.5 percent or less shall pay
to the Commission an amount equal to the amount
of the excess expenditures.
‘‘(2) MEDIUM AMOUNT OF EXCESS EXPENDI-
TURES.—Any eligible House of Representatives can-
didate who makes expenditures that exceed a limita-
tion under this title by more than 2.5 percent and
less than 5 percent shall pay to the Commission an
amount equal to 3 times the amount of the excess
expenditures.
‘‘(3) LARGE
AMOUNT
OF
EXCESS
EXPENDI-
TURES.—Any eligible House of Representatives can-
didate who makes expenditures that exceed a limita-
tion under this title by 5 percent or more shall pay
to the Commission an amount equal to 3 times the
amount of the excess expenditures plus a civil pen-
alty to be imposed pursuant to the procedures of
section 309 of this Act (2 U.S.C. 437(g)).’’.
SEC. 102. BROADCAST RATES AND PREEMPTION.
(a) BROADCAST RATES.—Section 315(b) of the Com-
munications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 315(b)) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘(b) The charges’’ and inserting
‘‘(b)(1) The charges’’;
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
(3) in paragraph (1)(A), as redesignated—
(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 House of Representa-
tives candidate (as described in section 501(a) of the Fed-
eral Election Campaign Act of 1971), the charges for the
use of a television or radio broadcasting station during
the 30-day period and 60-day period referred to in para-
graph (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) is amended—
(1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as
subsections (d) and (e), respectively; and
(2) by inserting immediately after subsection
(b) the following subsection:
‘‘(c)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a li-
censee shall not preempt the use, during any period speci-
fied in subsection (b)(1)(A), of a broadcasting station by
an eligible House of Representatives 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 adver-
tising spot scheduled to be broadcast during that program
may also be preempted.’’.
(c) REVOCATION OF LICENSE FOR FAILURE TO PER-
MIT 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 ‘‘broad-
casting 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) JURISDICTION OVER TAKINGS CHALLENGE TO
BROADCAST RATES.—The United States Court of Federal
Claims shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any action
challenging the constitutionality of the broadcast media
rates required to be offered to political candidates under
section 503(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971 and section 315(b) of the Communications Act of
1934. Money damages shall be the sole and exclusive rem-
edy in such cases, and only individuals or entities suffering
actual financial injury shall have standing to maintain
such an action.
(e) CONDITION OF RENEWAL OR NEW LICENSE.—
Section 307 of the Communications Act of 1934 is amend-
ed by adding the following: ‘‘The continuation of an exist-
ing license, the renewal of an expiring license, and the is-
suance of a new license shall be expressly conditioned on
the agreement by the licensee to abide by the provisions
of section 503(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 and section 315(b) of this Act. The Commission
shall take such action as it deems appropriate to assure
compliance with this requirement.’’.
(f) REGULATIONS.—The Commission, in consultation
with the Federal Communications Commission, shall issue
regulations to modify the requirements of this section in
any cases where a licensee establishes that such require-
ments would impose significant economic hardship.
(g) 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. 103. REDUCED POSTAGE RATES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3626(e) of title 39, Unit-
ed 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 House of Representatives can-
didate;’’;
(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 House of Representa-
tives 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 House of Representatives can-
didate shall apply only to that number of pieces of mail
equal to 3 times the number of individuals in the voting
age population (as certified under section 315(e) of such
Act) of the congressional district.’’.
(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. 104. CONTRIBUTION LIMITATIONS FOR HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES CANDIDATES.
Section 315(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(a) is amended by adding at the
end the following new paragraphs:
‘‘(9)(A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(A), the limi-
tation described in that paragraph shall be $500 with re-
spect to any election for the office of Representative in,
or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.
‘‘(B) Notwithstanding paragraph (2)(A), the limita-
tion described in that paragraph shall be $500 with re-
spect to any election for the office of Representative in,
or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.
‘‘(10)(A) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1), (3), and
(9), no citizens committee shall make contributions to any
candidate and the authorized political committees of such
candidate with respect to any election for the office of
Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner
to, the Congress which, in the aggregate, exceed $1,000.
‘‘(B) As used in this Act, the term ‘citizens commit-
tee’ means a political committee which, in each calendar
year, receives contributions of not more than $100 from
each of at least 25 individuals.’’.
SEC. 105. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Any candidate for the House of Representatives
who during the election cycle expends more than the limi-
tation under section 503(b) of the Federal Election Cam-
paign Act of 1971 during the election cycle from his per-
sonal funds, the funds of his immediate family, and per-
sonal loans incurred by the candidate and the candidate’s
immediate family shall report such expenditures to the
Commission within 48 hours after such expenditures have
been made or loans incurred. An additional report shall
be filed within 48 hours of the date such candidate makes
expenditures of such personal funds aggregating 25 per-
cent of the election cycle limit under section 502(a) of the
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
(b) Any candidate for the House of Representatives
who has failed to be certified as an eligible candidate by
the Commission and who during the election cycle has re-
ceived contributions or expended personal funds which, in
the aggregate, exceed 50 percent of the election cycle lim-
its contained in section 502(a) of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971, shall file a report with the Com-
mission within 48 hours after such contributions have
been received or such expenditures have been made. Addi-
tional reports shall be filed within 48 hours after such can-
didate has received contributions or expended personal
funds which, in the aggregate, exceed 70 percent and 120
percent of the election cycle limit. Additional reports shall
be filed within 48 hours after the candidate spends an
amount equal to 105 percent and 155 percent of the elec-
tion cycle limit contained in section 502(a) of the Federal
Election Campaign Act of 1971.
(c) The Commission within 48 hours after any report
has been filed under subsections (a) and (b) shall notify
each eligible House of Representatives candidate in the
election about each such report.
(d) If any act which requires the filing of any report
under subsection (a) or (b) occurs after the 20th day, but
more than 24 hours before an election, such report shall
be filed by the candidate within 24 hours of the occurrence
of such act. For any such report filed pursuant to this
subsection, the Commission shall notify the appropriate el-
igible House of Representatives candidate within 24 hours
after the filing of such report.
TITLE II—REDUCTION OF
SPECIAL INTEREST INFLUENCE
Subtitle A—Provisions Relating to
Political Action Committees
SEC. 201. PROHIBITION OF LEADERSHIP COMMITTEES; EX-
CESS CONTRIBUTIONS.
(a) PROHIBITION OF LEADERSHIP COMMITTEES.—
Section 302(e) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971 (2 U.S.C. 432(e)) is amended—
(1) by amending paragraph (3) to read as fol-
lows:
‘‘(3) No political committee that supports or has sup-
ported 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 na-
tional committee of such political party as the can-
didate’s principal campaign committee, but only 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 com-
mittee established solely for the purpose of joint
fundraising by such candidates as an authorized
committee.’’; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
‘‘(6)(A) A candidate for Federal office or any individ-
ual holding Federal office may not directly or indirectly
establish, finance, maintain, or control any Federal or
non-Federal political committee other than a principal
campaign committee of the candidate, authorized commit-
tee, party committee, or other political committee des-
ignated in accordance with paragraph (3). A candidate for
more than one Federal office may designate a separate
principal campaign committee for each Federal office.
This paragraph shall not preclude a Federal officeholder
who is a candidate for State or local office from establish-
ing, financing, maintaining, or controlling a political com-
mittee for election of the individual to such State or local
office.
‘‘(B) For one year after the effective date of this
paragraph, any political committee established before such
date but which is prohibited under subparagraph (A) may
continue to make contributions. At the end of that period
such political committee shall disburse all funds by one
or more of the following means: making contributions to
an entity qualified under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 that is not established, maintained,
financed, or controlled directly or indirectly by any can-
didate for Federal office or any individual holding Federal
office; making a contribution to the treasury of the United
States; contributing to the national, State, or local com-
mittees of a political party; or making contributions not
to exceed $1,000 to candidates for elective office.’’.
(b) EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS.—A candidate (or au-
thorized committees of such candidate) who receives a con-
tribution from a multicandidate political committee in ex-
cess of the amount allowed under subsection (d)(1) shall
return the amount of such excess contribution to the con-
tributor.
SEC. 202. AGGREGATE LIMIT ON CERTAIN CONTRIBUTIONS.
Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971 (2 U.S.C. 431 et seq.) is amended by adding at the
end the following new section:
‘‘SEC. 323. For purposes of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971, during any period beginning after
the effective date of this Act, it shall be unlawful for a
candidate for election for the office of Representative in,
or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress
(or the authorized committees of such candidate) to ac-
cept—
‘‘(1) any contribution from an individual in ex-
cess of $200 to the extent that the acceptance of
such contribution will cause the aggregate amount of
contributions from individuals in excess of $200 re-
ceived by the candidate and the candidate’s author-
ized committees to exceed $200,000;
‘‘(2) contributions from multicandidate political
committees in excess of $200,000 for an election
cycle; or
‘‘(3) contributions from citizens committees in
excess of $200,000 for an election cycle.’’
SEC. 203. CONTRIBUTIONS BY LOBBYISTS.
Section 315(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)), as amended by section 104,
is further amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
‘‘(11) Notwithstanding section 315(a)(1)(A), any
person required to register under section 4 of the Lobby-
ing Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1603) or the Foreign
Agents Registration Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 611 et
seq.)—
‘‘(A) shall not make contributions to, or solicit
contributions for, any candidate and his authorized
political committees with respect to any election for
Federal office, if such person has had a lobbying
contact with the candidate during the preceding
year; and
‘‘(B) shall not have any lobbying contact with
any individual who holds a Federal office, if, during
the preceding year, such person has made, or solic-
ited contributions for, such individual as a candidate
(and his authorized political committees) with re-
spect to any election for Federal office.’’.
SEC. 204. LIMITATION ON FINANCIAL SUPPORT PROVIDED
TO POLITICAL COMMITTEES BY CONNECTED
ORGANIZATIONS.
Section 316(b) of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441b(b)) is amended by adding at the
end the following new paragraph:
‘‘(8) Notwithstanding any other provision of this sec-
tion, a connected organization may provide financial sup-
port to a political committee only to the extent that such
support does not exceed an amount equal to 20 percent
of the fundraising expenses of the political committee.’’.
Subtitle B—Provisions Relating to
Soft Money of Political Parties
SEC. 211. SOFT MONEY OF POLITICAL PARTIES.
Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971 (2 U.S.C. 431 et seq.), as amended by section 202,
is further amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
‘‘SOFT MONEY OF POLITICAL PARTIES
‘‘SEC. 324. (a) A national committee of a political
party, including the national congressional campaign com-
mittees of a political party, and any officers or agents of
such party committees, shall not solicit or receive any con-
tributions, donations, or transfers of funds, or spend any
funds, not subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and re-
porting requirements of this Act. This subsection shall
apply to any entity that is established, financed, main-
tained, or controlled by a national committee of a political
party, including the national congressional campaign com-
mittees of a political party, and any officers or agents of
such party committees.
‘‘(b)(1) Any amount expended or disbursed by a
State, district, or local committee of a political party, dur-
ing a calendar year in which a Federal election is held,
for any activity which might affect the outcome of a Fed-
eral election, including but not limited to any voter reg-
istration and get-out-the-vote activity, any generic cam-
paign 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 re-
porting requirements of this Act.
Code of 1986 if the activities of the organization include
voter registration or get-out-the-vote campaigns.
‘‘(C) For purposes of this paragraph, an individual
shall be treated as holding Federal office if such individ-
ual—
‘‘(i) holds a Federal office; or
‘‘(ii) holds a position described in level I of the
Executive Schedule under 5312 of title 5, United
States Code.’’.
SEC. 212. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
(a) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—Section 304 of the
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434)
is amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section:
‘‘(d) POLITICAL COMMITTEES.—(1) A political com-
mittee other than a national committee of a political party,
any congressional campaign committee of a political party,
and any subordinate committee of either, to which section
325(b)(1) applies shall report all receipts and disburse-
ments.
‘‘(2) Any political committee other than the commit-
tees of a political party shall report any receipts or dis-
bursements that are used in connection with a Federal
election.
‘‘(3) If a political committee has receipts or disburse-
ments 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 sub-
section (b)(3)(A), (5), or (6).
‘‘(4) Reports required to be filed under this sub-
section shall be filed for the same time periods required
for political committees under subsection (a).’’.
(b) REPORTS BY STATE COMMITTEES.—Section 304
of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
434), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
‘‘(e) FILING OF STATE REPORTS.—In lieu of any re-
port 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.’’.
(c) OTHER REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—
(1) 
AUTHORIZED
COMMITTEES.—Section
304(b)(4) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971 (2 U.S.C. 434(b)(4)) is amended—
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
paragraph (H);
(B) by inserting ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
paragraph (I); and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
‘‘(J) in the case of an authorized commit-
tee, 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 the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (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’’.
SEC. 213. BUILDING FUND EXCEPTION TO THE DEFINITION
OF THE TERM ‘‘CONTRIBUTION’’.
Section 301(8)(B) of the Federal Election Campaign
Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(8)(B)) is amended—
(1) by striking out clause (viii); and
(2) by redesignating clauses (ix) through (xiv)
as clauses (viii) through (xiii), respectively.
Subtitle C—Soft Money of Persons
Other Than Political Parties
SEC. 221. SOFT MONEY OF PERSONS OTHER THAN POLITI-
CAL PARTIES.
Section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434), as amended by section 212(a)
and (b), is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing 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)(1)
in excess of $2,000, such person shall file a statement—
‘‘(I) within 48 hours after the disbursements
(or obligations) are made; or
‘‘(II) in the case of disbursements (or obliga-
tions) that are required to be made within 20 days
of the election, within 24 hours after such disburse-
ment (or obligations) are made.
‘‘(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 Commission 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.’’.
Subtitle D—Contributions
SEC. 231. RESTRICTIONS ON BUNDLING.
Section 315(a)(8) of the Federal Election Campaign
Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)(8)) is amended to read
as follows:
‘‘(8)(A) No person, either directly or indirectly, may
act as a conduit or intermediary for any contribution to
a candidate.
‘‘(B)(i) Nothing in this section shall prohibit—
‘‘(I) joint fundraising conducted in accordance
with rules prescribed by the Commission by 2 or
more candidates; or
‘‘(II) fundraising for the benefit of a candidate
that is conducted by another candidate.
‘‘(ii) No other person may conduct or otherwise par-
ticipate in joint fundraising activities with or on behalf
of any candidate.
‘‘(C) The term ‘conduit or intermediary’ means a per-
son who transmits a contribution to a candidate or can-
didate’s committee or representative from another person,
except that—
‘‘(i) a House of Representatives candidate or
representative of a House of Representatives can-
didate is not a conduit or intermediary for the pur-
pose of transmitting contributions to the candidate’s
principal campaign committee or authorized commit-
tee;
‘‘(ii) a professional fundraiser is not a conduit
or intermediary, if the fundraiser is compensated for
fundraising services at the usual and customary
rate;
‘‘(iii) a volunteer hosting a fundraising event at
the volunteer’s home, in accordance with section
301(8)(b), is not a conduit or intermediary for the
purposes of that event; and
‘‘(iv) an individual is not a conduit or
intermediary for the purpose of transmitting a con-
tribution from the individual’s spouse.
For purposes of this section a conduit or intermediary
transmits a contribution when receiving or otherwise tak-
ing possession of the contribution and forwarding it di-
‘‘(2) has not, as of the time of such contribu-
tion, attained the legal age for voting for elections
to Federal office in the State in which such individ-
ual resides,
shall be treated as having been made by such other indi-
vidual. If such individual is the dependent of another indi-
vidual and such other individual’s spouse, the contribution
shall be allocated among such individuals in the manner
determined by them.’’.
Subtitle E—Additional Prohibitions
on Contributions
SEC. 241. ALLOWABLE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR CANDIDATES.
(a) IN STATE REQUIREMENT.—Title III of the Fed-
eral Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431, et
seq.), as amended by sections 202 and 211 is further
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
‘‘SEC. 325. With regard to any candidate for election
for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident
Commissioner to, the Congress, by the end of the election
cycle not less than 75 percent of the total dollar amount
of all contributions from individuals to a candidate or a
candidate’s authorized committees, not including any ex-
penditures, contributions or loans made by the candidate,
shall come from individuals legally residing in the can-
didate’s State.’’.
(b) RULES APPLICABLE WHEN IN STATE REQUIRE-
MENT NOT IN EFFECT.—For purposes of the Federal
Election Campaign Act of 1971, during any period begin-
ning after the effective date on which the requirement of
section 325 of the Act (as added by subsection (a)) is not
in effect, a new clause (iv) shall be inserted in section
501(b)(1) as follows:
‘‘(iv) will comply with the requirement
that, by the end of the election cycle, not
less than 75 percent of the total dollar
amount of all contributions from individ-
uals to a candidate or a candidate’s au-
thorized committees, including any expend-
itures, contributions, or loans made by a
candidate shall come from individuals le-
gally residing in the candidate’s State.’’.
Subtitle F—Independent
Expenditures
SEC. 251. PROVISIONS RELATING TO INDEPENDENT EX-
PENDITURES.
(a) 
INDEPENDENT
EXPENDITURE
DEFINITION
AMENDMENT.—Section 301 of the Federal Election Cam-
paign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431) is amended by striking
out paragraphs (17) and (18) and inserting in lieu thereof
the following:
‘‘(17)(A) The term ‘independent expenditure’ means
an expenditure that—
‘‘(i) contains express advocacy; and
‘‘(ii) is made without the participation or co-
operation of, or without the consultation of, a can-
didate or a candidate’s representative.
‘‘(B) The following shall not be considered an inde-
pendent expenditure:
‘‘(i) An expenditure made by—
‘‘(I) an authorized committee of a can-
didate for Federal office, or
‘‘(II) a political committee of a political
party.
‘‘(ii) An expenditure if there is any arrange-
ment, 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 au-
thorized 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 can-
didate’s plans, projects, or needs relating to the can-
didate’s pursuit of nomination for election, or elec-
tion, to Federal office, in the same election cycle, in-
cluding any advice relating to the candidate’s deci-
sion 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 connec-
tion 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 ref-
erence 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 opposi-
tion to’ includes a suggestion to take action with respect
to an election, such as to vote for or against, make con-
tributions to, or participate in campaign activity, or to re-
frain from taking action.’’.
(b) CONTRIBUTION DEFINITION AMENDMENT.—Sec-
tion 301(8)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(8)(A)) is amended—
(1) in clause (i), by striking out ‘‘or’’ after the
semicolon at the end;
(2) in clause (ii), by striking out the period at
the end and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘; 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 independ-
ent expenditure under paragraph (17).’’.
SEC. 252. MANDATORY LIMITATION ON INDEPENDENT EX-
PENDITURES IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTA-
TIVES ELECTIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 315 of the Federal Elec-
tion Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a), as amended
by section 232 is further amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:
‘‘(j) No person may make independent expenditures
totaling more than $30,000 expressly advocating the elec-
tion or defeat of a clearly identified candidate in an elec-
tion for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or
Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.’’.
(b) RULES APPLICABLE WHEN MANDATORY INDE-
PENDENT EXPENDITURE LIMITATION NOT IN EFFECT.—
For purposes of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971, during any period beginning after the effective date
of this Act in which the requirement of section 315(j) of
the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as added by
subsection (a), is not in effect, if independent expenditures
totaling in the aggregate $30,000 have been made in the
same election in favor of another candidate or against an
eligible House of Representatives candidate, the Federal
Election Commission shall, within 2 business days, notify
the eligible candidate that the candidate is eligible for pay-
ments from the Independent Expenditure Response Fund
equal to the total amount of the independent expenditure,
as determined by the Commission.
SEC. 253. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN INDE-
PENDENT EXPENDITURES.
Section 304(c) of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434(c)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking the undesig-
nated matter after subparagraph (C);
(2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as para-
graph (7); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (2), as amend-
ed by paragraph (1), the following new paragraphs:
‘‘(3)(A) Any person (including a political com-
mittee) making independent expenditures as defined
in section 301(17) and (18) with respect to a can-
didate in an election aggregating $1,000 or more
made after the 20th day, but more than 24 hours,
before the election shall file a report within 24 hours
after such independent expenditures are made. An
additional report shall be filed each time independ-
ent expenditures aggregating $1,000 are made with
respect to the same candidate after the latest report
filed under this subparagraph.
‘‘(B) Any person (including a political commit-
tee) making independent expenditures with respect
to a candidate in an election aggregating $10,000 or
more made at any time up to and including the 20th
day before the election shall file a report within 48
hours after such independent expenditures are made.
An additional report shall be filed each time inde-
pendent expenditures aggregating $10,000 are made
with respect to the same candidate after the latest
report filed under this paragraph.
‘‘(C) A report under subparagraph (A) or (B)
shall be filed with the Commission and shall identify
each candidate whom the expenditure is actually in-
tended to support or to oppose. Not later than 2
business days after the Commission receives a re-
port, the Commission shall transmit a copy of the
report to each candidate seeking nomination or elec-
tion to that office.
‘‘(D) For purposes of this section, an independ-
ent expenditure shall be considered to have been
made upon the making of any payment or the taking
of any action to incur an obligation for payment.
‘‘(4) The Commission may, upon a request of a
candidate or on its own initiative, make its own de-
termination that a person, including a political com-
mittee, has made, or has incurred obligations to
make, independent expenditures with respect to any
candidate in any election which in the aggregate ex-
ceed the applicable amounts under paragraph (3).
The Commission shall notify each candidate in such
election of such determination made within 2 busi-
ness days after making it. Any determination made
at the request of a candidate shall be made within
48 hours of the request.
‘‘(5)(A) A person who reserves broadcast time
the payment for which would constitute an inde-
pendent expenditure within the meaning of section
301(17) of this Act (2 U.S.C. 431(17), shall at the
time of the reservation—
‘‘(i) inform the broadcast licensee that pay-
ment for the broadcast time will constitute an
independent expenditure;
‘‘(ii) inform the broadcast licensee of the
names of all candidates for the office to which
the proposed broadcast relates and state wheth-
er the message to be broadcast is intended to
be made in support of or in opposition to each
such candidate; and
‘‘(iii) provide the broadcast licensee a copy
of the report described in paragraph (3).
‘‘(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term
‘broadcast’ includes any cablecast.
‘‘(C) A licensee who is informed as described in
subparagraph (A) shall—
‘‘(i) notify each such candidate described
in subparagraph (A)(ii) of the proposed making
of the independent expenditure; and
‘‘(ii) allow any such candidate (other than
a candidate for whose benefit the independent
expenditure is made) to purchase the same
amount of broadcast time immediately after the
broadcast time paid for by the independent ex-
penditure, at the cost specified in section
315(b) of title 47, as amended by section 102
of this Act.’’.
SEC. 254. DESIGNATION OF INCOME TAX PAYMENTS TO
INDEPENDENT 
EXPENDITURE 
RESPONSE
FUND.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter A of chapter 61 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to information
and returns) is amended by adding at the end the follow-
ing new part:
‘‘PART IX—DESIGNATION OF INCOME TAX PAY-
MENTS TO INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE RE-
SPONSE FUND
‘‘Sec. 6098. Designation to Independent Expenditure Response
Fund.
‘‘SEC. 6098. DESIGNATION TO INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE
RESPONSE FUND.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Every individual (other than a
nonresident alien) whose adjusted income tax liability for
the taxable year is $5 or more may designate that $5 shall
be paid over to the Independent Expenditure Response
Fund in accordance with the provisions of section 9512.
In the case of a joint return of husband and wife having
an adjusted income tax liability of $10 or more, each
spouse may designate that $10 shall be paid to the fund.
‘‘(b) ADJUSTED INCOME TAX LIABILITY.—For pur-
poses of subsection (a), the term ‘adjusted income tax li-
ability’ means, for any individual for any taxable year, the
excess (if any) of—
‘‘(1) the income tax liability (as defined in sec-
tion 6096(b)) of the individual for the taxable year,
over
‘‘(2) any amount designated by the individual
(and, in the case of a joint return, any amount des-
ignated by the individual’s spouse) under section
6096(a) for such taxable year.
‘‘(c) MANNER AND TIME OF DESIGNATION.—A des-
ignation under subsection (a) may be made with respect
to any taxable year—
‘‘(1) at the time of filing the return of the tax
imposed by chapter 1 for such taxable year, or
‘‘(2) at any other time (after the time of filing
the return of the tax imposed by chapter 1 for such
taxable year) specified in regulations prescribed by
the Secretary.
Such designation shall be made in such manner as the
Secretary prescribes by regulations except that, if such
designation is made at the time of filing the return of the
tax imposed by chapter 1 for such taxable year, such des-
ignation shall be made either on the first page of the re-
turn or on the page bearing the taxpayer’s signature.
‘‘(d) TRANSFERS TO FUND.—There are hereby ap-
propriated to the Independent Expenditure Response
Fund amounts equivalent to the amounts designated
under subsection (c).’’.
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of parts for
subchapter A of chapter 61 of such Code is amended by
adding at the end the following new item:
‘‘PART IX. DESIGNATION OF INCOME TAX PAYMENTS TO INDEPENDENT
EXPENDITURE RESPONSE FUND.’’
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after
December 31 of the year in which this Act is enacted.
SEC. 255. INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE RESPONSE FUND.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title III of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431 et seq.), as amended
by sections 202, 211, and 241, is amended by adding at
the end the following new section:
‘‘SEC. 326. (a) There is established in the Treasury
of the United States a trust fund to be known as the
‘Independent Expenditure Response Fund’, consisting
of—
‘‘(1) such amounts as may be appropriated or
credited to the fund under section 6098 of the Inter-
nal Revenue Code of 1986;
‘‘(2) payments under section 502(e); and
‘‘(3) registration fees under section 302(j).
‘‘(b) Amounts in the Independent Expenditure Re-
sponse Fund shall be available, as provided in appropria-
tion Acts, for the purposes specified in section 252(b) of
the Federal Election Reform Act of 1996.
‘‘(c) Payments from the Independent Expenditure
Response Fund shall not be taken into consideration in
the computation of expenditures for the purposes of the
election cycle expenditure limit under section 502(a).’’.
SEC. 256. REGISTRATION FEE FOR MULTICANDIDATE PO-
LITICAL COMMITTEES.
Section 302 of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 432) is amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:
‘‘(j) The Commission shall impose on each political
committee a registration fee of $500.’’.
TITLE III—MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
SEC. 301. AUDITS.
(a) RANDOM AUDITS.—Section 311(b) of the Federal
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 438(b)) is
amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘The Commis-
sion’’; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
‘‘(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Com-
mission may conduct random audits and investiga-
tions 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 en-
sure impartiality in the selection process. This para-
graph does not apply to an authorized committee of
a candidate for President or Vice President subject
to audit under chapter 95 or 96 of the Internal Rev-
enue Code of 1986.’’.
(b) EXTENSION OF PERIOD DURING WHICH CAM-
PAIGN AUDITS MAY BE BEGUN.—Section 311(b) of the
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 438(b))
is amended by striking out ‘‘6 months’’ and inserting in
lieu thereof ‘‘12 months’’.
SEC. 302. CHANGE IN CERTAIN REPORTING FROM A CAL-
ENDAR YEAR BASIS TO AN ELECTION CYCLE
BASIS.
Paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (6), and (7) of section
304(b) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 434(b)(2)–(7)) are amended by inserting ‘‘(election
cycle, in the case of an authorized committee of a can-
didate for Federal office)’’ after ‘‘calendar year’’ each
place it appears.
SEC. 303. EXPEDITED PROCEDURES.
Section 309(a) of Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971 (2 U.S.C. 437g(a)) is amended by adding at the end
the following new paragraph:
‘‘(14)(A) If the complaint in a proceeding was
filed within 60 days immediately preceding a general
election, the Commission may take action described
in this subparagraph.
‘‘(B) If the Commission determines, on the
basis of facts alleged in the complaint and other
facts available to it, that there is clear and convinc-
ing evidence that a violation of this Act has oc-
curred, is occurring, or is about to occur and it ap-
pears that the requirements for relief stated in para-
graph (13)(A) (ii), (iii), and (iv) are met, the Com-
mission may—
‘‘(i) order expedited proceedings, shorten-
ing the time periods for proceedings under
paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) as necessary
to allow the matter to be resolved in sufficient
time before the election to avoid harm or preju-
dice to the interests of the parties; or
‘‘(ii) if the Commission determines that
there is insufficient time to conduct proceedings
before the election, immediately seek relief
under paragraph (13)(A).
‘‘(C) If the Commission determines, on the
basis of facts alleged in the complaint and other
facts available to it, that the complaint is clearly
without merit, the Commission may—
‘‘(i) order expedited proceedings, shorten-
ing the time periods for proceedings under
paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) as necessary
to allow the matter to be resolved in sufficient
time before the election to avoid harm or preju-
dice to the interests of the parties; or
‘‘(ii) if the Commission determines that
there is insufficient time to conduct proceedings
before the election, summarily dismiss the com-
plaint.’’.
SEC. 304. OFFICIAL MASS MAILING ALLOWANCE.
Section 311(f) of the Legislative Branch Appropria-
tions Act, 1991 (2 U.S.C. 59e(f)) is amended to read as
follows:
‘‘(f)(1) There is established in the House of Rep-
resentatives an Official Mass Mailing Allowance for Mem-
bers of the House of Representatives.
‘‘(2) The Official Mass Mailing Allowance of a Mem-
ber of the House of Representatives—
‘‘(A) shall be available only for postage for any
mass mailing sent by such Member as franked mail;
‘‘(B) shall be the sole source of funding for any
such postage; and
‘‘(C) shall be available, in a session of Congress
(subject to paragraph (5)(A)(ii)), in an amount not
to exceed the total amount allocated to the Official
Mail Allowance of such Member in such session.
‘‘(3) No amount may be transferred to or from the
Official Mass Mailing Allowance of a Member of the
House of Representatives (including as described in the
parenthetical matter in subsection (a)(2)(A)), except as
provided in subsection (e)(3)(B).
‘‘(4) For purposes of subsection (b), the Official Mass
Mailing Allowance of (and any mass mailing sent by) a
Member of the House of Representatives shall be treated
separately from the Official Mail Allowance of (and any
other official mail sent by) such Member.
‘‘(5)(A) Otherwise applicable provisions of law relat-
ing to mass mailings sent by a Member of (or Member-
elect to) the House of Representatives shall continue to
govern such mass mailings—
‘‘(i) except that—
‘‘(I) for purposes of carrying out those
other provisions of law, the term ‘mass mailing’
shall have the meaning given it under para-
graph (8); and
‘‘(II) a mass mailing may not be sent if it
would be postmarked during any session that
begins in an even-numbered calendar year, sub-
ject to subparagraph (B); and
‘‘(ii) except as otherwise provided in this sub-
section.
‘‘(B) Nothing in subclause (II) of subparagraph
(A)(i) shall be considered to preclude the mailing of any
mail matter—
‘‘(i) sent after the Tuesday next after the 1st
Monday in November of such year, and any mass
mailing described in section 3210(a)(6)(B) of title
39, United States Code; or
‘‘(ii) which relates to an emergency or disaster
declared by the President, if—
‘‘(I) the mailing is sent within 60 days
after the emergency or disaster is declared;
‘‘(II) the recipients of the mailing are lo-
cated in a congressional district any portion of
which is within (or adjacent to) an area in-
cluded in the President’s declaration;
‘‘(III) the mailing complies with clauses
(iii) and (iv) of paragraph (8)(C);
‘‘(IV) the mailing complies with clauses (i)
and (ii)(II) of section 3210(a)(6)(A) of title 39,
United States Code; and
‘‘(V) the mailing relates solely to the emer-
gency or disaster.
‘‘(6) A Member of the House of Representatives
shall—
‘‘(A) before making any mass mailing, submit a
sample of the mail matter involved to the House
Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards for
an advisory opinion as to whether such proposed
mailing is in compliance with applicable provisions of
law, rule, or regulation;