Government Money in Politics Extra Credit

By brady_grapevine

  • Spoils System: Andrew Jackson offers government jobs as reward for donations

  • Period: to

    Corporation/Individual donations begin increase

  • Naval Appropriations Bill prohibits officers/government employees from forcing donations

  • A Republican supporter contributes 25% of campaign finances for candidate, while wealthy Democrats donate up to $10,000

  • Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act extends protections from Naval Appropriations Bill onto all civil service employees

  • Tillman Act prohibits corporations and banks from contributing to federal campaigns

  • Period: to

    Laws passed in this time period try to solve issues, but all lack provisions necessary to enforce the laws

  • Federal Corrupt Practices Act strengthens legislation and makes stricter disclosure rules

  • The Hatch Act gives Congress the right to regulate primary elections and set expenditure limits

  • Taft Hartley Act attempts to reduce influence of labor unions and corporations by blocking expenditures and contributions

  • FECA (Federal Elections Campaign Act) strengthens disclosure provisions, sets contribution limits, institutes public financing, establishes framework for segregated funds and PACs, but ultimately lacks enforcement

  • Buckley v. Valeo decision in the SCOTUS ends with ruling to uphold contribution limits but overturn limits on organizations that can contribute

    This leads to a "money equals speech" argument and loopholes are found in the system.
  • Period: to

    Corporations, unions, and rich people are able to give unlimited funds to committees as long as they are for "party building" activities as part of new loophole

  • Period: to

    The contributions of soft money (donations which are not regulated by law) explode in use

  • Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act bans national political party committees from gathering or spending soft money contributions.

  • In case of Election Commission, SCOTUS rules that the BRCA does not infringe on first amendment rights

  • In Federal Election Commission v. Wisconsin Right to Life Inc., the SCOTUS rules that state ads cannot be banned anytime before an election as long as they do not urge support/defeat of a candidate

  • In Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, SCOTUS decides that government cannot restrict political spending by corporations and unions.

    Reasoning: free speech is essential and allowed even if coming from a corporation.

Want to make a timeline like this?

Use Timetoast to turn dates, events, milestones, and phases into a clear visual timeline you can build and share. Timetoast is a timeline maker for work, school, research, and stories.

Create your own timeline