A bill to provide for the public financing of general elections for the United States Senate and for other purposes.
Senate Campaign Cost Limitation and Public Financing Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to provide for public financing of Senate general election campaigns.
Entitles candidates for the Senate meeting certain criteria and agreeing to comply with specified spending limits and reporting requirements to campaign payments on a matching basis.
Requires such candidates to certify that: (1) their authorized committees will not make campaign expenditures in excess of certain limitations; (2) no contributions will be accepted by such candidates or their authorized committees in violation of this Act; (3) such candidates are seeking election to the Senate and have received contributions for that campaign in excess of a certain sum; and (4) at least two candidates have qualified for election to the same seat.
Sets forth formulas for the determination of the amount of money to which a candidate is entitled. Limits the total amount of such payments to qualified contributions equaling one-half of allowed expenditures. States that sums given by one contributor totalling over $100 and contributions received from a political committee or other organization shall not be counted for matching payments.
Limits expenditures from a candidate's personal or family funds to $35,000, adjusted according to the Consumer Price Index.
Sets spending limits for candidates receiving payments under this Act. Waives such limits for candidates whose opponents are not bound by the limits imposed on candidates receiving payments or have failed to file timely declarations on contributions and expenditures.
Requires the Federal Election Commission to certify the eligibility of candidates to the Secretary of the Treasury. Directs the Secretary to disburse funds to such candidates.
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a separate Senate General Election Campaign Account in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and to deposit certain sums in such account in accordance with specified guidelines.
Requires repayment of excess payments and unexpended payments. Penalizes the use of funds for other than campaign purposes. Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to institute repayment actions in U.S. district courts.
Specifies the administrative authority of the Commission in carrying out this Act. Requires the Commission to make certain reports to the Senate.
Authorizes the Commission to conduct thorough audits after each Federal election of all candidates receiving payments under the Act.
Provides for judicial review of Commission actions.
Authorizes appropriations.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules.
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