Court rules on campaign finance law. (Headlines).While oral arguments were heard in December and a decision was originally expected in January, a three-judge panel in federal court handed down a decision last month on the campaign finance case brought by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and others regarding the constitutionality of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA, McCain–Feingold Act, Pub.L. 107-155, 116 Stat. 81, enacted 2002-03-27) is United States federal law that amended the Federal Election Campaign Act, which regulates the financing of political campaigns. . The law, which took effect November 6, 2002, places curbs on soft money. The court struck down some provisions of the law, while upholding others. Analysts continue to comb comb 1. a vascular, red cutaneous structure attached in a sagittal plane to the dorsum of the skull of domestic fowl. It consists of a base attached to the skull, a central mass called the body, a backward projecting blade and upward projecting points. 2. through the complex, 1,600-page decision. And the case has been sent to the Supreme Court for review. The decision dealt a blow to campaign finance reformers by declaring the all-out ban on corporate soft money contributions unconstitutional unconstitutional adj. referring to a statute, governmental conduct, court decision or private contract (such as a covenant which purports to limit transfer of real property only to Caucasians) which violate one or more provisions of the U. S. Constitution. , paving the way for the national parties to start raising soft money again for use in get-out-the-vote campaigns and grassroots activities. But two of the three judges ruled the national parties could be prohibited pro·hib·it tr.v. pro·hib·it·ed, pro·hib·it·ing, pro·hib·its 1. To forbid by authority: Smoking is prohibited in most theaters. See Synonyms at forbid. 2. from spending soft money on issue advertisements promoting or attacking federal candidates. In addition, the majority of the judges struck down the pre-election ban on ads that refer to federal candidates if the ads are sponsored by a corporation or union. The decision upheld the ban on federal candidates soliciting soft money. To date, numerous groups--including Sen. McConnell, the Federal Election Commission, and the AFL-CIO AFL-CIO: see American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. AFL-CIO in full American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations U.S. , among others--have filed notices of appeal. These parties also have the option of requesting a "stay" on portions of the legislation, which, if granted, would return the provisions of the original legislation while the Supreme Court considers the case. So far, the National Rifle Association National Rifle Association (NRA) Governing organization for the sport of shooting with rifles and pistols. It was founded in Britain in 1860. The U.S. organization, formed in 1871, has a membership of some four million. Both the British and the U.S. , Fairfax, Virginia Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City of Fairfax is nevertheless its county seatGR6. , has requested a stay on the portion of the legislation dealing with electronic communication. Most experts believe the Supreme Court will take up the campaign finance case in an expedited process this fall. To view the 1,600-page ruling, visit www.dcd.uscourts.gov. For more information on this or other public policy issues, call 202-626-2703. |
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