House of Representatives Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform Act of 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Expenditure Limitations, Contribution Limitations,

Matching Funds, and Reduced Third-Class Mail Rate for

Eligible House of Representatives Candidates

Title II: Limitations on Political Committee and Large Donor

Contributions That May Be Accepted By House of

Representatives Candidates; Miscellaneous Provisions

Relating to Contributions Under The Federal Election

Campaign Act of 1971

Title III: Requirement of Budget Neutrality

Title IV: Independent Expenditures

Title V: Bundling and Soft Money

Title VI: Prohibitions Relating to Political Committees and

Foreign Nationals

Title VII: Campaign Surplus

Title VIII: Campaign Advertising

Title IX: Contribution Solicitation

Title X: Reporting Requirements

Title XI: Effective Date

House of Representatives Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform Act of 1993 - Title I: Expenditure Limitations, Contribution Limitations, Matching Funds, and Reduced Third-Class Mail Rate for Eligible House of Representatives Candidates - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to set forth limitations regarding House of Representatives election expenditures, contributions, and matching funds.

Limits aggregate contributions received and expenditures made by an eligible House of Representatives candidate in an election cycle to $600,000, with specified limitations in general, special, and runoff elections.

Establishes the Make Democracy Work Fund (the Fund) for payment of funds and initial expenditures incurred by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in the administration of this Act. Outlines FEC examination, audit, and repayment procedures. Subjects FEC actions to judicial review.

Precludes a House of Representatives candidate from receiving Fund assistance without prior certification that any television commercial prepared or distributed by the candidate permits closed captioning.

Amends Federal Postal Service law to provide reduced third-class mailing rates to eligible House of Representatives candidates during a general election period.

Title II: Limitations on Political Committee and Large Donor Contributions That May Be Accepted By House of Representatives Candidates; Miscellaneous Provisions Relating To Contributions Under The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 - Sets forth limitations on political committee and large donor contributions (and contributions by dependents not of voting age) that may be accepted by House of Representatives candidates. Mandates that contributions to candidates from State and local political party committees be aggregated. Increases the amount that multicandidate political committees (PACs) may contribute to national political party committees.

Deems corporate or labor union expenditures for candidate appearances, debates, or voter guides to be contributions if the corporate or labor organization expressly advocates the election or defeat of a candidate or favors one candidate over another.

Title III: Requirement of Budget Neutrality - Provides that the net costs of providing certain benefits under this Act must be fully offset by specified measures that either raise revenues or reduce spending by a specified deadline (thus achieving budget neutrality).

Title IV: Independent Expenditures - Modifies definitions relating to independent expenditures.

Title V: Bundling and Soft Money - Prohibits any person from acting as conduit or intermediary for any contribution to any candidate, except in specified circumstances. States that such persons are likewise prohibited from conducting or participating in joint fundraising activities with or on behalf of any candidate.

Limits the combined political activities of political party committees. Prohibits incumbents and candidates for Federal office from soliciting contributions to certain organizations substantially engaged in voter registration or get-out-the-vote campaigns. Requires political committees to report all receipts and disbursements during the reporting period, whether or not in connection with an election for Federal office.

Title VI: Prohibitions Relating to Political Committees and Foreign Nationals - Prohibits the use of leadership committees and establishes a deadline for their disbursement of funds.

Prohibits an unauthorized political committee from using the name of any candidate in any fundraising activity on its behalf in a context which suggests that the committee is the candidate's authorized committee.

Prohibits a foreign national from controlling, influencing, or participating in election-related activities, including making contributions or expenditures.

Title VII: Campaign Surplus - Mandates that the funds exceeding $600,000 of incumbents who are House of Representatives candidates be deposited in a separate account subject to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.

Title VIII: Campaign Advertising - Prescribes guidelines for print and broadcast campaign advertising.

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to entitle House of Representatives candidates to the lowest unit rate charged by a licensee for the same amount of time (currently, the same class and amount of time for the same period on the same date, during the 30 (currently 45) days prior to the primary election and the 45 (currently 60) days prior to the general election). Prohibits the licensee from pre-empting such a candidate's use of the station except in an emergency.

Title IX: Contribution Solicitation - Proscribes the solicitation of contributions by false representation by any person as a candidate or as a representative of a candidate or of a political party or committee.

Title X: Reporting Requirements - Requires certain reports to identify any person (other than a committee) who contributes more than $50 (currently, more than $200). Directs the FEC to: (1) require that operating expenditures be reported on an election cycle basis, by category; and (2) maintain computerized indices of contributions of $50 or more.

Title XI: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.