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Discover the sources of Congress members' campaign financing, including PACs, corporations, unions, and soft money donations. Learn about the regulations and implications of political funding. Explore the influence of Super PACs and the advantages of incumbency. Ensure legal donation practices.
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Political Contributions www.opensecrets.org
Where do members of Congress get their election money? • http://www.opensecrets.org/bigpicture/wherefrom.php?cycle=2016 • http://www.opensecrets.org/overview/index.php • Are there any conclusions we can draw from looking at these charts?
Political Action Committees (PAC) • Corporations, Unions, and Trade Associations donate money to parties and their campaign funds. • Minimum Requirements • At least 50 contributors (for employees and members only) • Donate to at least 5 different candidates • No more than $5,000 per year to a candidate • No more than $15,000 to the national party.
PAC (continued) • Over 4,000 PACs. Interest groups may also form PACS. • Half of the PACs represent corporations • 1,000 are issue oriented.
Soft Money • Contributions to political parties, instead of particular candidates. The money is used for party building activities like: • Get out the vote campaign. • Voter registration drives. • Expenses involved in day to day running of party headquarters. • Campaign propaganda that relates to the party rather than the candidates. • Fund raising events.
Banning of Soft Money • Article link: (http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,218989,00.html). • What were some problems in banning soft money?
SUPERPACS • What San Marino Teacher Worked on the SCOTUS Citizens United (2010) Case?
Super PACs • http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2010/0202/Supreme-Court-s-campaign-finance-ruling-just-the-facts • http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/superpacs.php • What are the pro’s and con’s of the Supreme Court decision?
2012 Incumbent Advantage • http://www.opensecrets.org/overview/incumbs.php
How you donate legally? • Try this link: • (http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/guide-to-political-donations).
Historical Congressional Reelection • http://www.opensecrets.org/bigpicture/reelect.php?cycle=2016