Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1971

The 1960s and early 1970s saw a significant increase in campaign spending, particularly on television advertising, raising concerns about the escalating costs of running for office and the potential for undue influence by wealthy donors. There was growing public demand for greater transparency in campaign financing, with calls for candidates to disclose their funding sources and expenditures to ensure accountability and reduce corruption. In 1970 President Nixon vetoed the Political Broadcast Act, arguing it did not sufficiently limit campaign expenditures, which led to further legislative efforts to address campaign finance reform. 

FECA was introduced on January 26, 1971. The Act passed the Senate on August 5, 1971, by a near unanimous vote of 88-2, and the House on November 30, 1971, by a landslide vote of 372-23. After resolving differences between the House and Senate versions, the final bill was sent to President Nixon, who signed it into law on February 7, 1972. 

The Act imposed restrictions on the amounts individuals and groups could contribute to federal candidates and political parties. It set ceilings on campaign expenditures, including spending on media advertising. Candidates and political committees were required to file detailed reports of contributions and expenditures, promoting transparency. FECA provided the basic legislative framework for separate segregated funds, commonly known as PACs, allowing organizations to pool contributions for political purposes.