December 1, 2015 •
Federal Appropriations Bill Has Campaign Finance Changes Included
Changes to the federal campaign finance laws may be included in the looming appropriations bill Congress considers this month.
The Senate version of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2016, Senate Bill 1910, contains language altering the law regarding coordination between candidates and political parties.
House Resolution 2995, the House’s version of the bill, contains three riders concerning campaign finance. One of its provisions would prohibit the IRS from using funds provided by the bill to determine a church is not exempt from taxation for participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign unless the IRS Commissioner consents, Congress is notified, and the determination is effective no earlier than 90 days after congressional notification. Another section of the House bill prohibits the SEC from using funds provided by the bill to require the disclosure of political contributions, contributions to tax exempt organizations, or dues paid to trade associations. A further change to campaign finance law included in the House version of the appropriation bill would bar the use of funds to recommend or require any entity submitting an offer for a federal contract to disclose specified political contributions as a condition of submitting the offer.
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