Explanation of Campaign Finance Provision in Congressional Omnibus Spending Bill

Explanation of Campaign Finance Provision in Congressional Omnibus Spending Bill

A provision in the omnibus spending bill increases the amount an individual donor can give to political party committees by 500%.

A provision in the omnibus spending bill increases the amount an individual donor can give to political party committees by 500%.

Current Structure

Under the current set up, an individual donor can give a national political party $64,800 per year ($32,400 for general support and $32,400 for conventions). The same individual can also give $32,400 to the party’s Senate committee and $32,400 to the party’s House committee per year. Therefore, one individual can contribute $129,600 to the three party committees per year, or $259,200 per election cycle.

BEFORE PROVISION

ONE YEAR

TWO-YEAR CYCLE

National Party Committee

 $64,800

 $129,600

Congressional Committee

 $32,400

 $64,800

Senate Committee

 $32,400

 $64,800

TOTAL

 $129,600

 $259,200

Structure Under New Provision

A campaign finance provision in the omnibus spending bill allows an individual to contribute:

  • $324,000 to the national party
    • $32,400 for general support
    • $97,200 for conventions
    • $97,200 for buildings
    • $97,200 for recounts and legal fees
  • $226,800 to each of the Senate and House party committees
    • $32,400 for general support
    • $97,200 for buildings
    • $97,200 for recounts and legal fees

This means one individual can contribute up to $777,600 to the three party committees per year, or $1,555,200 per election cycle.

AFTER PROVISION

ONE YEAR

TWO-YEAR CYCLE

National Party Committee

 $324,000

 $648,000

Congressional Committee

 $226,800

 $453,600

Senate Committee

 $226,800

 $453,600

TOTAL

 $777,600

 $1,555,200

$5 million total including McCutcheon

After U.S. Supreme Court’s McCutcheon decision, an individual could give up to $3,633,200 to the three party committees per election cycle. When you include the proposed provision in the omnibus bill, an individual could now give up to $4,929,200 to the three party committees per election cycle.