An Act to promote fair practices in the conduct of election campaigns for Federal political offices, and for other purposes
PL 92-225 (S.382), enacted 02/07/1972

Public Laws 
ENACTED DURING THE 
SECOND SESSION OF THE NINETY-SECOND CONGRESS 
OF THE 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
Begun and held at the City of Washington 
on Tuesday, January 
18, 1972, and 
adjourned sine die on Wednesday, October 18, 1972. RICHARD M . NIXON, President; 
SPIRO T . 
AGNEW, Vice President; 
CARL 
ALBERT, Speaker 
of the House of 
Representatives. 
Public Law 92-225 
AN ACT 
February 7, 1972 
rs. 3821 
To promote fair practices in the conduct of election campaigns for Federal 
'. 
political offices, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled^ That this Act may ^l^'^^^l^ Ac^of"" 
be cited as the "Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971". i 
197T 
TITLE I—CAMPAIGN COMMUNICATIONS 
SHORT TITLE 
SEC. 101. This title may be cited as the "Campaign Communications 
citation o
f titie. 
Reform Act". 
DEFINITIONS 
SEC. 102. For purposes of this title: 
(1) The term "communications media" means broadcasting 
stations, newspapers, magazines, outdoor advertising facilities, 
and telephones; but, with respect to telephones, spending or an 
expenditure shall be deemed to be spending or an expenditure for 
the use of communications media only if such spending or expendi-
ture is for the costs of telephones, paid telephonists, and automatic 
telephone equipment, used by a candidate for Federal elective 
office to communicate with potential voters (excluding any costs 
of telephones incurred by a volunteer for use of telephones by 
him). 
PUBLIC LAW 92-225-FEB. 7, 1972 
[86 STAT. 
Post, p. 7. 
(2) The term "broadcasting station" has the same meaning as 
such term has under section 315 (f) of the Communications Act of 
1934. 
(3) The term "Federal elective office" means the office of Presi-
dent of the United States, or of Senator or Representative in, or 
Resident Commissioner or Delegate to, the Congress of the United 
States (and for purposes of section 103(b) such term includes the 
office of Vice President). 
(4) The term "legally qualified candidate" means any person 
who (A) meets the qualifications prescribed by the applicable 
laws to hold the Federal elective office for which he is a candidate, 
and (B) is eligible under applicable State law to be voted for by 
the electorate directly or by means of delegates or electors. 
(5) The term "voting age population" means resident popula-
tion, eighteen years of age and older. 
(6) The term "State" includes the District of Columbia and the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. 
66 Stat. 717. 
47 u s e 315. 
74 Stat. 894. 
47 u s e 312. 
Nonbroadcast 
media rates. 
MEDIA RATE AND RELATED REQUIREMENTS 
SEC. 103. (a) (1) Section 315(b) of the Communications Act of 1934 
is amended to read as follows: 
"(b) The charges made for the use of any broadcasting station by 
any person who is a legally qualified candidate for any public office in 
connection with his campaign for nomination for election, or election, 
to such office shall not exceed— 
" (1) during the forty-five days preceding the date of a primary 
or primary runoff election and during the sixty days preceding the 
date of a general or special election in which such person is a can-
didate, the lowest unit charge of the station for the same class and 
amount of time for the same period; and 
" (2) at any other time, the charges made for comparable use of 
such station by other users thereof." 
(2) (A) Section 312(a) of such Act is amended by striking "or" at 
the end of clause (5), striking the period at the end of clause (6) and 
inserting in lieu thereof a semicolon and "or", and adding at the end of 
such section 312(a) the following new paragraph: 
"(7) for willful or repeated failure to allow reasonable access 
to or to permit purchase of reasonable amounts of time for the use 
of a broadcasting station by a legally qualified candidate for Fed-
eral elective office on behalf of his candidacy.". 
(B) The second sentence of section 315(a) of such Act is amended 
by inserting "under this subsection" after "No obligation is imposed", 
(b) To the extent that any person sells space in any newspaper or 
magazine to a legally qualified candidate for Federal elective office, or 
nomination thereto, in connection with such candidate's campaign for 
nomination for, or election to, such office, the charges made for the use 
of such space in connection with his campaign shall not exceed the 
charges made for comparable use of such space for other purposes. 
86 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-225-FEB. 7, 1972 
LIMITATIONS OF EXPENDITURES FOR USE OF COMMUNICATIONS 
MEDIA 
SEC. 104. (a) (1) Subject to paragraph (4), no legally qualified can-
didate in an election (other than a primary or primary runoff election) 
r'or ii Federal elective office may— 
(A) spend for the use of communications media on behalf of 
his candidacy in such election a total amount in excess of the 
greater of— 
(i) 10 cents multiplied by the voting age population (as 
certified under paragraph (5)) of the geographical area in 
which the election for such office is held, or 
(ii) $50,000, or 
(B) spend for the use of broadcast stations on behalf of his 
candidacy in such election a total amount in excess of 60 per 
centum of the amount determined under subparagraph (A) with 
respect to such election. 
(2) No legally qualified candidate in a primary election for nomina-
tion to a Federal elective office, other than President, may spend— 
(A) for the use of communications media, or 
(B) for the use of broadcast stations, 
on behalf of his candidacy in such election a total amount in excess of 
the amounts determined under paragraph (1) (A) or (B), respec-
tively, with respect to the general election for such office. For purposes 
of this subsection a primary runoff election shall be treated as a sepa-
rate primary election. 
(3) (A) No person who is a candidate for presidential nomination 
may spend— 
(i) for the use in a State of communications media, or 
(ii) for the use in a State of broadcast stations, 
on behalf of his candidacy for presidential nomination a total amount 
in excess of the amounts which would have been determined under 
paragraph (1) (A) or (B), respectively, had he been a candidate for 
election for the office of Senator from such State (or for the office of 
Delegate or Kesident Commissioner in the case of the District of 
Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Eico). 
(B) For purposes of this paragraph (3), a person is a candidate for 
presidential nomination if he makes (or any other person makes on his 
behalf) an expenditure for the use of any communications medium on 
behalf of his candidacy for any political party's nomination for elec-
tion to the office of President. He shall be considered to be such a can-
didate during the period— 
(i) beginning on the date on which he (or such other person) 
first makes such an expenditure (or, if later, January 1 of the year 
in which the election for the office of President is held), and 
(ii) ending on the date on which such political party nominates 
a candidate for the office of President. 
For purposes of this title and of section 315 of the Communications 
Act of 1934, a candidate for presidential nomination shall be con-
sidered a legally qualified candidate for public office. 
(C) The Comptroller General shall prescribe regulations under 
which any expenditure by a candidate for presidential nomination for 
Primaries. 
Presidential pri-
maries. 
Ante, 
p. 
p. 7. 
4; 
Post, 
Regulations. 
'Price index.' 
" B a s e period." 
Publication in 
Federal Register. 
Publication in 
PUBLIC LAW 92-225-FEB. 7, 1972 
[86 STAT. 
the use in two or more States of a communications medium shall be 
attributed to such candidate's expenditure limitation in each such 
State, based on the number of persons in such State who can reason-
ably be expected to be reached by such communications medium. 
(4) (A) For purposes of subparagraph (B) : 
(i) The term "price index" means the average over a calendar 
year of the Consumer Price Index (all items—United States city 
average) published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 
(ii) The term "base period" means the calendar year 1970. 
(B) At the beginning of each calendar year (commencing in 1972), 
as there becomes available necessary data from the Bureau of Labor 
Statistics of the Department of Labor, the Secretary of Labor shall 
certify to the Comptroller General and publish in the Federal Register 
the per centum difference between the price index for the 12 months 
preceding the beginning of such calendar year and the price index for 
the base period. Each amount determined under paragraoh (1) (A) (i) 
and (ii) shall be increased by such per centum difference. Each 
amount so increased shall be the amount in effect for such calendar 
yeaj". 
(5) Within 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and 
Federal Register. (j^j.jj^g ^j^g fjj.g^ wcek of January in 1973 and every subsequent year, 
the Secretary of Commerce shall certify to the Comptroller General 
and publish in the Federal Register an estimate of the voting age 
population of each State and congressional district for the last calen-
dar year ending before the date of certification. 
(6) Amounts spent for the use of communications media on behalf 
of any legally qualified candidate for Federal elective office (or for 
nomination to such office) shall, for the purposes of this subsection, 
be deemed to have been spent by such candidate. Amounts spent for 
the use of communications media by or on behalf of any legally 
qualified candidate for the office of Vice President of the United 
States shall, for the purposes of this section, be deemed to have been 
spent by the candidate for the office of President of the United States 
with whom he is running. 
(7) For purposes of this section and section 315(c) of the Com-
Post, p. 7. 
munications Act of 1934— 
(A) spending and charges for the use of communications media 
include not only the direct charges of the media but also agents' 
commissions allowed the agent by the media, and 
(B) any expenditure for the use of any communications medium 
by or on behalf of the candidacy of a candidate for Federal elective 
office (or nomination thereto) shall be charged against the expend-
iture limitation under this subsection applicable to the election 
in which such medium is used. 
Certification 
(jj) J^Q pBrson may make any charge for the use by or on behalf of 
" 
"""' 
any legally qualified candidate for Federal elective office (or for nomi-
nation to such office) of any newspaper, magazine, or outdoor adver-
tising facility, unless such candidate (or a person specifically author-
ized hy such candidate in writing to do so) certifies in writing to the 
requirement. 
66 Stat. 717. 
47 u s e 315. 
Ante, p. 5. 
86 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-225-FEB. 7, 1972 
person making such charge that the payment of such charge will not 
violate paragaph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a), whichever is 
applicable. 
(c) Section 315 of the Communications Act of 1934 is amended by 
redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (g) and by inserting after 
subsection (b) the following new subsections: 
" (c) No station licensee may make any charge for the use of such 
station by or on behalf of any legally qualified candidate for Federal 
elective office (or for nomination to such office) unless such candidate 
(or a person specifically authorized by such candidate in writing to do 
so) certifies to such licensee in writing that the payment of such charge 
will not violate any limitation specified in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) 
of section 104(a) of the Campaign Communications Reform Act, 
whichever paragraph is applicable. 
"(d) If a State by law and expressly— 
"(1) has provided that a primary or other election for any 
office of such State or of a political subdivision thereof is subject 
to this subsection, 
"(2) has specified a limitation upon total expenditures for the 
use of broadcasting stations on behalf of the candidacy of each 
legally qualified candidate in such election, 
^' (3) has provided in any such law an unequivocal expression of 
intent to be bound by the provisions of this subsection, and 
"(4) has stipulated that the amount of such limitation shall not 
exceed the amount which would be determined for such election 
under section 104(a) (1) (B) or 104(a) (2) (B) (whichever is 
applicable) of the Campaign Communications Reform Act had 
such election been an election for a Federal elective office or 
nomination thereto; 
then no station licensee may make any charge for the use of such sta-
tion by or on behalf of any legally qualified candidate in such election 
unless such candidate (or a person specifically authorized by such 
candidate in writing to do so) certifies to such licensee in writing that 
the payment of such charge will not violate such State limitation. 
"(e) Whoever willfully and knowingly violates the provisions of 
Penalty. 
subsection (c) or (d) of this section shall be punished by a fine not to 
exceed $5,000 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed five years, or 
both. The provisions of sections 501 through 503 of this Act shall not 
apply to violations of either such subsection. 
" (f) (1) For the purposes of this section: 
"(A) The term 'broadcasting station' includes a community 
antenna television system. 
"(B) The terms 'licensee' and 'station licensee' when used with 
respect to a community antenna television system, means the 
operator of such system. 
"(C) The term 'Federal elective office' means the office of Presi-
dent of the United States, or of Senator or Representative in, or 
Resident Commissioner or Delegate to, the Congress of the United 
States. 
"(2) For purposes of subsections (c) and (d), the term 'legally 
qualified candidate' means any person who (A) meets the qualifica-
tions prescribed by the applicable laws to hold the office for which he 
is a candidate and (B) is eligible under applicable State law to be 
voted for by the electorate directly or by means of delegates or 
electors." 
REGULATIONS 
SEC. 105. The Comptroller General shall prescribe such regulations 
as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out sections 102, 103(b), 
104(a), and 104(b)'of this Act. 
47 u s e 501-503. 
Definitions. 
nQl 
r» 
 73 - 4 
1 
PUBLIC LAW 92-225-FEB. 7,1972 
[86 STAT. 
H ' - 
P E N A L T I E S 
_:, 
:.-;• 
SEC. 106. Whoever willfully and knowingly violates any provision 
ri.\ >>cj . 
of section 103(b), 104(a), or 104(b) or any regulation under section 
105 shall be punished W a fine of not more than $5,000 or by imprison-
ment of not more than five years, or both. 
T I T L E II—CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENTS 
62 Stat. 719. 
§£0. 201. Section 591 of title 18, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
§ 591. Definitions 
"When used in sections 597, 599, 600, 602, 608, 610, and 611 of this 
Post, pp. 9, 10. 
t i t l e — 
"(a) 'election'means (1) a general, special, primary, or runoff 
election, (2) a convention or caucus of a political party held to 
nominate a candidate, (3) a primary election held for the selection 
of delegates to a national nominating convention of a political 
party, (4) a primary election held for the expression of a pref-
erence for the nomination of persons for election to the office of 
President, and (5) the election of delegates to a constitutioral 
convention for proposing amendments to the Constitution of the 
uscprec. title 1. 
United States; 
"(b) 'candidate'means an individual who seeks nomination for 
election, or election, to Federal office, whether or not such individ-
ual is elected, and, for purposes of this paragraph, an individual 
shall be deemed to seek nomination for election, or election, to 
Federal office, if he has (1) taken the action necessary under the 
law of a State to qualify himself for nomination for election, or 
election, or (2) received contributions or made expenditures, or 
has given his consent for any other person to receive contributions 
., 
or make expenditures, with a view to bringing about his nomina-
tion for election, or election, to such office; 
,.,j.~.,^- 
"(c) 'Federal office'means the office of President or Vice Presi-
dent of the United States, or Senator or Representative in^ or 
Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress of the United 
:v^-:-'••: .•%: 
States; 
"(d) 'political committee' means any individual, committee, 
,tc . . " 
association, or organization which accepts contributions or makes 
expenditures during a calendar year in an aggregate amount 
exceeding $1,000; 
, . 
"(e) 'contribution' means— 
'' f 
" (1) a gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money 
or anything of value (except a loan of money by a national 
or State bank made in accordance with the applicable banking 
^; 
laws and regulations and in the ordinary course of business), 
made for the purpose of influencing the nomination fo-'elec-
' 
tion, or election, of any person to Federal office, for the 
purpose of influencing the results of a primary held for the 
selection of delegates to a national nominating convention of 
ii political party or for the expression of a preference for 
,f 
the nomination of persons for election to the office of Presi-
/ 
dent, or for the purpose of influencing the election of delegates 
to a constitutional convention for proposing amendments to 
the Constitution of the United States; 
"(2) a contract, promise, or agreement, express or implied, 
>.;, 4 
whether or not legally enforceable, to make a contribution for 
7rr ; 
such purposes; 
"(3) a transfer of funds between political committees; 
86 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-225-FEB. 7, 1972 
*'(4) the payment, by any person other than a candidate 
or political committee, of compensation for the personal 
services of another person which are rendered to such candi-
date or political committee without charge for any such pur-
pose; and 
'"'' 
"(5) notwithstanding the foregoing meanings of 'con- 
Exception. 
tribution', the word shall not be construed to include services 
provided without compensation by individuals volunteering 
a portion or all of their time on behalf of a candidate or 
"
^ 
political committee; 
. 
"(f) 'expenditure' means— 
"(1) a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, 
deposit, or gift of money or anything of value (except a loan 
of money by a national or State bank made in accordance 
with the applicable banking laws and regulations and in the 
ordinary course of business), made for the purpose of influ- 
_ 
.,, 
encing the nomination for election, or election, of any person 
to Federal office, for the purpose of influencing the result of 
a primary held for the selection of delegates to a national 
nominating convention of a political party or for the expres-
sion of a preference for the nomination of persons for election 
to the office of President, or for the purpose of influencing the 
election of delegates to a constitutional convention for pro-
posing amendments to the Constitution of the United States; 
" (2) a contract, promise, or agreement, express or implied, 
whether or not legally enforceable, to make any expenditure: 
and 
" (3) a transfer of funds between political committees; 
"(g) ^person' and 'whoever' mean an individual, partnership, 
committee, association, corporation, or any other organization or 
group of persons; and 
" (h) 'State' means each State of the United States, the District 
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any terri-
tory or possession of the United States.". 
SEC. 202. Section 600 of title 18, United States Code, is amended to 
" stat. 721. 
read as follows: 
'*§ 600. Promise of employment or other benefit for political 
activity 
"Whoever, directly or indirectly, promises any employment, posi-
tion, compensation, contract, appointment, or other benefit, provided 
for or made possible in whole or in part by any Act of Congress, or 
any special consideration in obtaining any such benefit, to any person 
as consideration, favor, or reward for any political activity or for the 
support of or opposition to any candidate or any political party in 
connection with any general or special election to any political office, 
or in connection with any primary election or political convention or 
caucus held to select candidates for any political office, shall be fined 
not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.". 
SEC. 203. Section 608 of title 18, United States Code, is amended to 
read as follows: 
*
*
§ 608. Limitations on contributions and expenditures 
"(a)(1) No candidate may make expenditures from his personal 
funds, or the personal funds of his immediate family, in connection 
with his campaign for nomination for election, or election, to Federal 
office in excess of— 
"(A) $50,000, in the case of a candidate for the office of Presi-
dent or Vice President; 
"(B) $35,000, in the case of a candidate for the office of Sen-
ator ; or 
"Contribution or 
expenditure." 
10 
PUBLIC LAW 92-225-FEB. 7, 1972 
[86 STAT. 
"(C) $25,000, in the case of a candidate for the office of Eepre-
sentative, or Delegate or Eesident Commissioner to the Congress. 
famlr""'^'^*^ 
"(2)\For purposes of this subsection, 'immediate family' means a 
^
"
"
^ ^' 
candidate's spouse, and any child, parent, grandparent, brother, or 
sister of the candidate, and the spouses of such persons. 
"(b) No candidate or political committee shall knowingly accept 
any contribution or authorize any expenditure in violation of the pro-
visions of this section. 
^^"^"y- 
"(c) Violation of the provisions of this section is punishable by a 
fine not to exceed $1,000, imprisonment for not to exceed one year, or 
both.". 
^2^s^tal' 723 
^^^- ^^^^ ^ection 609 of title 18, United States Code, is repealed. 
SEC. 205. Section 610 of title 18, United States Code, relating to con-
tributions or expenditures by national banks, corporations, or labor 
organizations, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following 
paragraph: 
"As used in this section, the phrase 'contribution or expenditure' 
shall include any direct or indirect payment, distribution, loan, 
advance, deposit, or gift of money, or any services, or anything of 
value (except a loan of money by a national or State bank made in 
accordance with the applicable banking laws and regulations and in 
the ordinary course of business) to any candidate, campaign commit-
tee, or political party or organization, in connection with any election 
to any of the offices referred to in this section; but shall not include 
communications by a corporation to its stockholders and their families 
or by a labor organization to its members and their families on any 
subject; nonpartisan registration and get-out-the-vote campaigns by a 
corporation aimed at its stockholders and their families, or by a labor 
organization aimed at its members and their families; the establish-
ment, administration, and solicitation of contributions to a separate 
segregated fund to be utilized for political purposes by a corporation 
or labor organization: Provided^ That it shall be unlawful for such a 
fund to make a contribution or expenditure by utilizing money or any-
thing of value secured by physical force, job discrimination, financial 
reprisals, or the threat of force, job discrimination, or 
financial 
reprisal; or by dues, fees, or other monies required as a condition of 
membership in a labor organization or as a condition of employment, 
or by monies obtained in any commercial transaction.". 
SEC. 206. Section 611 of title 18, United States Code, is amended to 
read as follows: 
"§ 611. Contributions by Government contractors 
"Whoever— 
"(a) entering into any contract with the United States or any 
department or agency thereof either for the rendition of personal 
services or furnishing any material, supplies, or equipment to tlie 
United States or any department or agency thereof or for selling 
any land or building to the United States or any department or 
agency thereof, if payment for the performance of such contract 
or payment for such material, supplies, equipment, land, or build-
ing is to be made in whole or in part from funds appropriated by 
the Congress, at any time between the commencement of negotia-
tions for and the later of (1) the completion of performance 
under, or (2) the termination of negotiations for, such contract or 
furnishing of material, supplies, equipment, land or buildings, 
directly or indirectly makes any contribution of money or other 
thing of A^alue, or promises expressly or impliedly to make any 
such contribution, to any political party, committee, or candidate 
for public office or to any person for any political purpose or 
use; er 
86 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-225-FEB. 7, 1972 
11 
"(b) knowingly solicits any such contribution from any such 
person for any such purpose during any such period; 
shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than five 
years, or both.". 
SEC. 207. The table of sections for chapter 29 of title 18, United 
States Code, is amended by— 
(1) striking out the item relating to section 608 and inserting in 
lieu thereof the following: 
"608. Limitations on contributions and expenditures." ; 
(2) striking out the item relating to section 609 and inserting in 
lieu thereof the following: 
'•<5()9. Repealed."; 
(3) striking out the item relating to section 611 and inserting in 
lieu thereof the following: 
"611. Contributions by Government contractors.". 
TITLE III—DISCLOSURE OF FEDERAL CAMPAIGN 
FUNDS 
DEFINITIONS 
SEC. 301. When used in this title— 
(a) "election" means (1) a general, special, primary, or runoff 
election, (2) a convention or caucus of a political party held to 
nominate a candidate, (3) a primary election held for the selection 
of delegates to a national nominating convention of a political 
party, (4) a primary election held for the expression of a pref-
erence for the nomination of persons for election to the office of 
President, and (5) the election of delegates to a constitutional 
convention for proposing amendments to the Constitution of the 
United States; 
uscprectuiei. 
(b) "candidate" means an individual who seeks nomination for 
election, or election, to Federal office, whether or not such individ-
ual is elected, and, for purposes of this paragraph, an individual 
shall be deemed to seek nomination for election, or election, if he 
has (1) taken the action necessary under the law of a State to 
qualify himself for nomination for election, or election, to Federal 
office, or (2) received contributions or made expenditures, or has 
given his consent for any other person to receive contributions or 
make expenditures, with a view to bringing about his nomination 
for election, or election, to such office; 
(c) "Federal office" means the office of President or Vice Presi-
dent of the United States; or of Senator or Representative in, or 
Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress of the United 
States; 
(d) "political committee" means any committee, association, 
or organization which accepts contributions or makes expendi-
tures during a calendar year in an aggregate amount exceeding 
$1,000; 
(e) "contribution" means— 
(1) a gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of 
money or anything of value, made for the purpose of influ-
encing the nomination for election, or election, of any person 
to Federal office or as a presidential or vice-presidential 
elector, or for the purpose of influencing the result of a 
primary held for the selection of delegates to a national 
nominating convention of a political party or for the expres-
12 
PUBLIC LAW 92-225-FEB. 7, 1972 
[86 STAT. 
i{ -If- 
sion of a preference for the nomination of persons for elec-
tion to the office of President, or for the purpose of 
influencing the election of delegates to a constitutional 
convention for proposing amendments to the Constitution of 
useprec.title 1. 
^^iQ United States; 
(2) a contract, promise, or agreement, whether or not 
legally enforceable, to make a contribution for any such 
purpose; 
(3) a transfer of funds between political committees; 
(4) the payment, by any person other than a candidate 
" 
or political committee, of compensation for the personal serv-
ices of another person which are rendered to such candidate 
or committee without charge for any such purpose; and 
Exception. 
?•': ,. 
(5^ notwithstanding the foregoing meanings of "contri-
bution", the word shall not be construed to include services 
provided without compensation by individuals volunteering 
a portion or all of their time on behalf of a candidate or 
political committee; 
(f) "expenditure" means— 
(1) a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, 
deposit, or gift of money or anything of value, made for the 
purpose of influencing the nomination for election, or elec-
tion, of any person to Federal office, or as a presidential and 
A, 
vice-presidential elector, or for the purpose of influencing the 
result of a primary held for the selection of delegates to a 
national nominating convention of a political party or for 
the expression of a preference for the nomination of persons 
• 
for election to the office of President, or for the purpose of 
influencing the election'of delegates to a constitutional con-
vention for proposing amendments to the Constitution of the 
United States; 
V 3 ,-. • ; 
(2) a contract, promise, or agreement, whether or not 
legally enforceable, to make an expenditure, and 
(3) a transfer of funds between political committees; 
f 
(g) "supervisory officer" means the Secretary of the Senate 
^
^ 
with respect to candidates for Senator; the Clerk of the House 
of Representatives with respect to candidates for Representative 
in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress of the 
United States; and the Comptroller General of the United States 
in any other case; 
(h) "person" means an individual, partnership, committee, 
association, corporation, labor organization, and any other orga-
nization or group of persons; and 
(i) "State" means each State of the United States, the District 
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any terri-
tory or possession of the United States. 
'; 
ORGANIZATION OF POLITICAL 
COMMITTEES 
SEC. 302. (a) Every political committee shall have a chairman and a 
treasurer. No contribution and no expenditure shall be accepted or 
made by or on behalf of a political committee at a time when there is a 
vacancy in the office of chairman or treasurer thereof. No expenditure 
shall be made for or on behalf of a political committee without the 
authorization of its chairman or treasurer, or their designated agents. 
(b) Every person who receives a contribution in excess of $10 for a 
political committee shall, on demand of the treasurer, and in any event 
within five days after receipt of such contribution, render to the treas-
urer a detailed account thereof, including the amount, the name and 
86 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 9 2 - 2 2 5 - F E B . 7, 1972 
| | 
address (occupation and the principal place of business, if any) of the 
person making such contribution, and the date on which received. All 
funds of a political committee shall be segregated from, and may not 
be commingled with, any personal funds of officers, members, oi-
associates of such committee. 
(c) It shall be the duty of the treasurer of a political committee to Recordkeeping. 
keep a detailed and exact account of— 
(1) all contributions made to or for such committee j 
(2) the full name and mailing address (occupation and the 
principal place of business, if any) of every person making a 
contribution in excess of $10, and the date and amount thereof; 
(3) all expenditures made by or on behalf of such committee; 
and 
J, 
(^4) the full name and mailing address (occupation and the 
principal place of business, if any) of every person to whom any 
expenditure is made, the date and amount thereof and the name 
and address of, and office sought by, each candidate on whose 
behalf such expenditure was made. 
(d) It shall be the duty of the treasurer to obtain and keep a 
Receipts, pres-
receipted bill, stating the particulars, for every expenditure made by or ^'^^^ ^°"" 
on behalf of a political committee in excess of $100 in amount, and for 
any such expenditure in a lesser amount, if the aggregate amount of 
such expenditures to the same person during a calendar year exceeds 
$100. The treasurer shall preserve all receipted bills and accounts 
required to be kept by this section for periods of time to be determined 
by the supervisory officer. 
(e) Any political committee which solicits or receives contributions 
unauthorized 
or makes expenditures on behalf of any candidate that is not authorized ^^ ^''^ *^^' 
in writing by such candidate to do so shall include a notice on the face 
or front page of all literature and advertisements published in connec-
tion with such candidate's canipaign by such committee or on its behalf 
stating that the committee is not authorized by such candidate and that 
such candidate is not responsible for the activities of such committee. 
(f) (1) Any political committee shall include on the face or from io^""no^ice^^'^^'^" 
page of all literature and advertisements soliciting funds the following 
notice: 
"A copy of our report filed with the appropriate supervisory officer 
is (or will be) available for purchase from the Superintendent of Docu-
ments, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 
20402.". 
(2) (A) The supervisory officer shall compile and furnish to the 
^"""^i report. 
Public Printer, not later than the last day of March of each year, an 
annual report for each political committee which has filed a report 
with him under this title during the period from March 10 of the 
preceding calendar year through January 31 of the year in which 
such annual report is made available to the Public Printer. Each such 
annual report shall contain— 
-> • ^ 
(i) a copy of the statement of organization of the political 
'''' ' ^ 
committee required under section 303. together with any amend-
ments thereto; and 
(ii) a copy of each report filed by such committee under 
section 304 from March 10 of the preceding year through 
January 31 of the year in which the annual report is so furnished 
to the Public Printer. 
' 
(B) The Public Printer shall make copies of such annual reports 
available for sale to the public by the Superintendent of Documents 
as soon as practicable after they are received from the supervisory 
officer. 
14 
PUBLIC LAW 92-225-FEB. 7, 1972 
[86 STAT. 
REGISTRATION OF POLITICAL COMMITTEES; 
STATEMENTS 
SEC, 303. (a) Each political committee which anticipates receiving 
contributions or making expenditures during the calendar year in an 
aggregate amount exceeding $1,000 shall file with the supervisory 
officer a statement of organization, within ten days after its organiza-
tion or, if later, ten days after the date on which it has information 
which causes the committee to anticipate it will receive contributions 
or make expenditures in excess of $1,000. Each such committee in 
existence at the date of enactment of this Act shall file a statement of 
organization with the supervisory officer at such time as he prescribes. 
(b) The statement of organization shall include— 
^ 
(1) the name and address of the committee; 
(2) the names, addresses, and relationships of affiliated or 
connected organizations; 
(3) the area, scope, or jurisdiction of the committee; 
(4) the name, address, and position of the custodian of books 
and accounts; 
(5) the name, address, and position of other principal officers, 
including officers and members of the finance committee, if any; 
(6) the name, address, office sought, and party affiliation of (A) 
each candidate whom the committee is supporting, and (B) any 
other individual, if any, w^hom the committee is supporting for 
noipination for election, or election, to any public office whatever; 
or, if the committee is supporting the entire ticket of any party, 
the name of the party; 
(7) a statement whether the committee is a continuing one; 
(8) the disposition of residual funds which will be made in the 
event of dissolution; 
(9) a listing of all banks, safety deposit boxes, or other reposi-
tories used; 
(10) a statement of the reports required to be filed by the com-
mittee with State or local officers, and, if so, the names, addresses, 
and positions of such persons; and 
(11) such other information as shall be required by the super-
visory officer. 
(c) Any change in information previously submitted in a statement 
of organization shall be reported to the supervisory officer within a 
ten-day period following the change. 
(d) Any committee which, after having filed one or more statements 
of organization, disbands or determines it will no longer receive con-
tributions or make expenditures during the calendar year in an aggre-
gate amount exceeding $1,000 shall so notify the supervisory officer. 
R E P O R T S B Y POLITICAL COMMITTEES AND CANDIDATES 
Receipts and 
SEC. 304. (a) Each treasurer of a political committee supporting a 
expenditures. 
candidate or candidates for election to Federal office, and each can-
didate for election to such office, shall file with the appropriate super-
visory officer reports of receipts and expenditures on forms to be 
prescribed or approved by him. Such reports shall be filed on the tenth 
day of March, June, and September, in each year, and on the fifteenth 
and fifth days next preceding the date on which an election is held. 
Completion date, and also by the thirty-first day of January. Such reports shall be com-
exception. 
plete as of such date as the supervisory officer may prescribe, which 
shall not be less than five days before the date of filing, except that any 
contribution of $5,000 or more received after the last report is filed 
prior to the election shall be reported within forty-eight hours after 
its receipt. 
86 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-225-FEB. 7, 1972 
15 
(b) Each repoi-t under this section shall disclose— 
(1) the amount of cash on hand at the beginning of the report-
ing period; 
(2) the full name and mailing address (occupation and the 
principal place of business, if any) of each person who has made 
one or more contributions to or for such committee or candidate 
(including the purchase of tickets for events such as dinners, 
luncheons, rallies, and similar fundraising events) within the 
calendar year in an aggregate amount or value in excess of $10!), 
together with the amount and date of such contributions; 
(3) the total sum of individual contributions made to or for 
such committee or candidate during the reporting period and not 
reported under paragragh (2) ; 
(4) the name and address of each political committee or can-
didate from which the reporting committee or the candidate 
received, or to which that committee or candidate made, any trans-
fer of funds, together with the amounts and dates of all transfers; 
(5) each loan to or from any person within the calendar year in 
an aggregate amount or value in excess of $100, together with the 
full names and mailing addresses (occupations and the principal 
places of business, if any) of the lender and endorsers, if any, and 
the date and amount of such loans; 
(6) the total amount of proceeds from (A) the sale of tickets 
to each dinner, luncheon, rally, and other fundraising event; (B) 
mass collections made at such events; and (C) sales of items such 
as political campaign pins, buttons, badges, flags, emblems, hats, 
banners, literature, and similar materials; 
(7) each contribution, rebate, refund, or other receipt in excess 
of $100 not otherwise listed under paragraphs (2) through (6); 
(8) the total sum of all receipts by or for such committee or 
candidate during the reporting period; 
(9) the full name and mailing address (occupation and the 
principal place of business, if any) of each person to whom 
expenditures have been made by such committee or on behalf of 
such committee or candidate within the calendar year in an aggre-
gate amount or value in excess of $100, the amount, date, and pur-
pose of each such expenditure and the name and address of, and 
office sought by, each candidate on whose behalf such expenditure 
was made; 
(10) the full name and mailing address (occupation and the 
principal place of business, if any) of each person to whom an 
expenditure for personal services, salaries, and 
reimbursed 
expenses in excess of $100 has been made, and which is not other-
wise reported, including the amount, date, and purpose of such 
expenditure; 
(11) the total sum of expenditures made by such committee or 
candidate during the calendar year; 
(12) the amount and nature of debts and obligations owed by 
or to the committee, in such form as the supervisory officer may 
prescribe and a continuous reporting of their debts and obligations 
after the election at such periods as the supervisory officer may 
require until such debts and obligations are extinguished; and 
(13) such other information as shall be required by the super-
visory officer. 
(c) The reports required to be filed hj subsection (a) shall be 
cumulative during the calendar year to which they relate, but where 
there has been no change in an item reported in a previous report 
during such year, only the amount need be carried forward. If no 
contributions or expenditures have been accepted or expended during 
a calendar year, the treasurer of the political committee or candidate 
shall file a statement to that effect. 
etc., separate 
16 
PUBLIC L
A
W 92-225-FEB. 7, 1972 
[86 STAT. 
REPORTS BY OTHERS THAX POLITICAL COMMITTEES 
SEC. 305. Every person (other than a political committee or candi-
date) who makes contributions or expenditures, other than by con-
tribution to a political committee or candidate, in an aggregate amount 
in excess of $100 within a calendar year shall file with the supervisory 
officer a statement containing the information required by section 304. 
Statements rec^uired by this section shall be filed on the dates on which 
reports by political committees are filed, but need not be cumulative. 
FORMAL REQUIREMENTS RESPECTING REPORTS AND STATEMENTS 
SEC. 306. (a) A report or statement required by this title to be filed 
by a treasurer of a political committee, a candidate, or by any other 
person, shall be verified by the oath or affirmation of the person filing 
such report or statement, taken before any officer authorized to admin-
ister oaths. 
(b) A copy of a report or statement shall be preserved by the 
person filing it for a period of time to be designated by the supervisory 
officer in a published regulation. 
reuer^^'^"''^ 
(c) The supcTvisory officer may, by published regulation of general 
api)licability, relieve any category of political committees of the obli-
gation to comply with section 304 if such committee (1) primarily 
supports persons seeking State or local office, and does not substan-
tially support candidates, and (2) does not operate in more than one 
State or on a statewide basis. 
Debts^pledges, 
((J) The supervisoTy officer shall, by published regulations of gen-
eral applicability, prescribe the manner in which contributions and 
expenditures in the nature of debts and other contracts, agreements, 
and promises to make contributions or expenditures shall be reported. 
Such regulations shall provide that they be reported in separate 
schedules. In determining aggregate amounts of contributions and 
expenditures, amounts reported as provided in such regulations shall 
not be considered until actual payment is made. 
'.• 
REPORTS ON C O N V E N T I O N FINANCING 
SEC. 307. Each committee or other organization which— 
(1) represents a State, or a political subdivision thereof, or any 
group of persons, in dealing with officials of a national political 
party with respect to matters involving a convention held in such 
State or political subdivision to nominate a candidate for the office 
of President or Vice President, or 
(2) represents a national political party in making arrange-
ments for the convention of such party held to nominate a candi-
date for the office of President or Vice President, 
shall, within sixty days following the end of the convention (but not 
later than twenty days prior to the date on which presidential and 
vice-presidential electors are chosen), file with the Comptroller Gen-
eral of the United States a full and complete financial statement, in 
such form and detail as he may prescribe, of the sources from which 
it derived its funds, and the purposes for which such funds were 
expended. 
DUTIES OF THE SUPERVISORY OFFICER 
SEC 308. (a) It shall be the duty of the supervisory officer— 
(1) to develop and furnish to the person required by the pro-
visions of this Act prescribed forms for the making of the reports 
and statements required to be filed with him under this title; 
(2) to prepare, publish, and furnish to the person required to 
86 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-225-FEB. 7, 1972 
17 
file such reports and statements a manual setting forth recom-
mended uniform methods of bookkeeping and reporting; 
(3) to develop a filing, coding, and cross-indexing system con- 
' ^ 
sonant with the purposes of this title; 
(4) to make the reports and statements filed with him available . P"bUc inspec-
for public inspection and copying, commencing as soon as prac-
ticable but not later than the end of the second day following the 
day during which it was received, and to permit copying of any 
such report or statement by hand or by duplicating machine, as 
- *
' 
requested by any person, at the expense of such person: Provided^ 
That any information copied from such reports and statements 
shall not be sold or utilized by any person for the purpose of 
r^oliciting contributions or for any commercial purpose; 
(5) to preserve such reports and statements for a period of ten 
years from date of receipt, except that reports and statements 
relating solely to candidates for the House of Representatives shall 
be preserved for only five years from the date of receipt; 
(6) to compile and maintain a current list of all statements or 
parts of statements pertaining to each candidate; 
(7) to prepare and publish an annual report including compila- 
Annual report. 
tions of (A) total reported contributions and expenditures for all 
candidates, political committees, and other persons during the 
year; (B) total amounts expended according to such categories as 
he shall determine and broken down into candidate, party, and 
nonparty expenditures on the National, State, and local levels; 
(C) total amounts expended for influencing nominations and 
elections stated separately; 
(D) 
total amounts contributed 
according to such categories of amounts as he shall determine and 
broken down into contributions on the national, State, and local 
levels for candidates and political committees; and (E) aggregate 
amounts contributed by any contributor shown to have contributed 
* ' - •
? 
in excess of $100; 
(8) to prepare and publish from time to time special reports 
Reports. 
comparing the various totals and categories of contributions and 
expenditures made with respect to preceding elections; 
(9) to prepare and publish such other reports as he may deem 
appropriate; 
(10) to assure wide dissemination of statistics, summaries, and seminauon"" '^'^' 
reports prepared under this title; 
(11) to make from time to time audits and field investigations 
o 
with respect to reports and statements filed under the provisions 
of this title, and with respect to alleged failures to file any report 
or statement required under the provisions of this title; 
(12) to report apparent violations of law to the appropriate 
law enforcement authorities; and 
(13) to prescribe suitable rules and regulations to carry out lafjon^s^ ^""^'^^^"" 
the provisions of this title. 
(b) The supervisory ofiicer shall encourage, and cooperate with, 
the election officials in the several States to develop procedures which 
will eliminate the necessity of multiple filings by permitting the filing 
of copies of Federal reports to satisfy the State requirements. 
(c) It shall be the duty of the Comptroller General to serve as a ^ comptroHer 
national clearinghouse for information in respect to the adminis- "^ 
' 
tration of elections. In carrying out his duties under this subsection, 
the Comptroller General shall enter into contracts for the purpose of 
conducting independent studies of the administration of elections. 
Such studies shall include, but shall not be limited to, studies of— 
(1) the method of selection of, and the type of duties assigned 
to, officials and personnel working on boards of elections; 
General, informa-
tion and studies. 
18 
PUBLIC LAW 92-225-FEB. 7, 1972 
[86 STAT. 
Publication. 
Hearing oppor-
tunity; injunction. 
Judicial review. 
62 Stat. 928. 
(2) practices relating to the registration of voters; and 
(3) voting and counting methods. 
Studies made under this subsection shall be published by the Comp-
troller General and copies thereof shall be made available to the 
general public upon the payment of the cost thereof. Nothing in this 
subsection shall be construed to authorize the Comptroller General 
to requii'e the inclusion of any comment or recommendation of the 
Comptroller General in any such study. 
(d)(1) Any person who believes a violation of this title has 
occurred may file a complaint with the supervisory officer. If the super-
visory officer determines there is substantial reason to believe such a 
violation has occurred, he shall expeditiously make an investigation, 
which shall also include an investigation of reports and statements 
filed by the complainant if he is a candidate, of the matter complained 
of. Whenever in the judgment of the supervisory officer, after afford-
ing due notice and an opportunity for a hearing, any person has 
engaged or is about to engage in any acts or practices which constitute 
or will constitute a violation of any provision of this title or any regu-
lation or order issued thereunder, the Attorney General on behalf of 
the United States shall institute a civil action for relief, including a 
permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or any other 
appropriate order in the district court of the United States for the 
district in which the person is found, resides, or transacts business. 
Upon a proper showing that such person has engaged or is about to 
engage in such acts or practices, a permanent or temporary injunction, 
restraining order, or other order shall be granted without bond by 
such court. 
(2) In any action brought under paragraph (1) of this subsection, 
subpenas for witnesses who are required to attend a United States dis-
trict court may run into any other district. 
(3) Any party aggrieved by an order granted under paragraph (1) 
of this subsection may, at any time within sixty days after the date of 
entry thereof, file a petition with the United States court of appeals 
for the circuit in which such person is found, resides, or transacts busi-
ness, for judicial review of such order. 
(4) The judgment of the court of appeals affirming or setting aside, 
in whole or in part, any such order of the district court shall be final, 
subject to review by the Supreme Court of the LTnited States upon 
certiorari or certification as provided in section 1254 of title 28, United 
States Code. 
(5) Any action brought under this subsection shall be advanced on 
the docket of the court in which filed, and put ahead of all other 
actions (other than other actions brought under this subsection). 
"Appropriate 
State." 
STATEMENTS FILED WITH STATE OFFICERS 
SEC. 309. (a) A copy of each statement required to be filed with a 
supervisory officer by this title shall be filed with the Secretary of State 
(or, if there is no office of Secretary of State, the equivalent State 
officer) of the appropriate State. For purposes of this subsection, the 
term "appropriate State" means— 
(1) for reports relating to expenditures and contributions in 
connection with the campaign for nomination for election, or elec-
tion, of a candidate to the office of President or Vice President of 
the United States, each State in which an expenditure is made 
by him or on his behalf, and 
(2) for reports relating to expenditures and contributions in 
connection with the campaign for nomination for election, or elec-
tion, of a candidate to the office of Senator or Representative in, 
State officer, 
duties. 
86 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-225-FEB. 7, 1972 
19 
or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress of the 
United States, the State in which he seeks election, 
(b) It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State, or the equivalent 
State officer, under subsection (a)— 
(1) to receive and maintain in an orderly manner all reports 
and statements required by this title to be filed with him; 
(2) to preserve such reports and statements for a period of ten 
years from date of receipt, except that reports and statements 
relating solely to candidates for the House of Representatives 
shall be preserved for only five years from the date of receipt; 
(3) to make the reports and statements filed with him available 
for public inspection and copying during regular office hours, 
commencing as soon as practicable but not later than the end of 
the day during \yhich it was received, and to permit copying of 
any such report or statement by hand or by duplicating machine, 
requested by any person, at the expense of such person; and 
(4) to compile and maintain a current list of all statements or 
parts of statements pertaining to each candidate. 
PROHIBITIOISr OF CONTRIBUTIONS I N NAME OF ANOTHER 
SEC. 310. No person shall make a contribution in the name of another 
person, and no person shall knowingly accept a contribution made by 
one person in the name of another person. 
PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS 
SEC. 311. (a) Any person who violates any of the provisions of this 
title shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than 
one year, or both. 
(b) In case of any conviction under this title, where the punishment 
inflicted does not include imprisonment, such conviction shall be 
deemed a misdemeanor conviction only. 
TITLE IV—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
EXTENSION OF CREDIT BY REGULATED INDUSTRIES 
SEC. 401. The Civil Aeronautics Board, the Federal Communica-
tions Commission, and the Interstate Commerce Commission shall each 
promulgate, within ninety days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, its own regulations with respect to the extension of credit, with-
out security, by any person regulated by such Board or Commission 
to any candidate for Federal office (as such term is defined in section 
301 (c) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971), or to any per- 
^"'^' P- ^^• 
son on behalf of such a candidate, for goods furnished or services 
rendered in connection with the campaign of such candidate for 
nomination for election, or election, to such office. 
PROHIBITION AGAINST USE OF CERTAIN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR ELECTION 
ACTIVITIES 
SEC. 402. No part of any funds appropriated to carry out the Eco-
nomic Opportunity Act of 1964 shall be used to finance, directly or 
^ ^*^^- ^°^ 
indirectly, any activity designed to influence the outcome of any elec- 
"^ "^ ^'" 
tion to Federal office, or any voter registration activity, or to pay the 
salary of any officer or employee of the Office of Economic Oppor-
tunity who, in his official capacity as such an officer or employee, en-
gages in any such activity. As used in this section, the term "election" 
"Election. 
has the same meaning given such term by section 301(a) of the Fed-
42 u s e 2701 
note. 
20 
PUBLIC LAW 92-226-FEB. 7, 1972 
[86 STAT. 
•^Fe^de^k/of. 
®^^^ Election Campaign Act of 1971, and the term "Federal office'-
fice.'^ ^^^ ° ' 
has the same meaning given such term by section 301(c) of such Act. 
EFFECT ON STATE LAW 
SEC. 403. (a) Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to invalidate 
or make inapplicable any provision of any State law, except where 
compliance with such provision of law would result in a violation 
of a provision of this Act. 
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), no provision of State law 
, shall be construed to prohibit any person from taking any action 
authorized by this Act or from making any expenditure (as such term 
is defined in section 301 (f) of this Act) which he could lawfully make 
under this Act. 
PARTIAL INVALIDITY 
SEC. 404. If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof 
to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the validity of the 
remainder of the Act and the application of such provision to other 
persons and circumstances shall not be affected thereby. 
. i W 
REPEALING CLAUSE 
SEC. 405. The Federal Corrupt Practices Act, 1925 (2 U.S.C. 241-
43 Stat. 1070. 
256), Is TepeaM. 
EFFECTIVE DATE 
SEC. 406. Except as provided for in section 401 of this Act, the 
provisions of this Act shall become effective on December 31, 1971, 
or sixty days after the date of enactment of this Act, whichever is 
later. 
. Approved February 7, 1972. 
- 
: . 
Public Law 92-226 
" ' • 
- 
r - 
- -
February 7, 1972 
^ ^ 
^^^ 
^^- 2819] 
'PQ amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
Foreign Assist- 
Vnlted States of America in Congress assemhled. That this Act may be 
ance Act o
f 1971. ^.-^^^ ^^ ^j^^ "Forcigu Asslstauce Act of 1971". 
• 
rOOD-FOR-PEACE PROGRAM 
SEC. 2. It is the sense of the Congress that funds to administer the 
food-for-peace program should not be reduced as the result of any 
reduction in the authorizations provided to carry out the Foreign 
22 5sc2m 
Assistance Act of 1961.