Skip to main content

The McCain-Feingold Act

For decades, the role of campaign donations in influencing elections was a source of consternation for members of both political parties — each of which, of course, believed it was always the “other guys” who weren’t playing by the spirit of the rules. In such an atmosphere, compounded by a close and bitter presidential campaign in 2000, Democratic Sen. Russell Feingold and Republican Sen. John McCain, both ardent supporters of campaign finance reform, believed they needed to bridge the gap to avoid any reform bill from being seen as the “other guys’” solution. Enacted in 2002, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act — commonly referred to as the McCain-Feingold Act, changed how donations could be used to support political parties and candidates and demanded that television campaign ads clearly identify who paid for them. 

2002-01-01 00:00:00
217
95

Share
Read Next

Support Research Like This

With your support, BPC can continue to fund important research like this by combining the best ideas from both parties to promote health, security, and opportunity for all Americans.

Give Now