# 62 FR 33040: Prohibited and Excessive Contributions; ``Soft Money'' > Federal · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_97-15940 ## Section - **Citation:** 62 FR 33040 - **Heading:** Prohibited and Excessive Contributions; ``Soft Money'' - **Jurisdiction:** Federal - **Kind:** Regulations - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Federal Register / Vol. 62 / 62 FR 33040 ## Text Proposed Rules Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================== Proposed Rules ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION 11 CFR Parts 100, 102, 104, 106, 110 and 114 [Notice 1997--10] Prohibited and Excessive Contributions; ``Soft Money'' AGENCY: Federal Election Commission. ACTION: Rulemaking petitions: Notice of Availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: On May 20, 1997, the Commission received a Petition for Rulemaking from five Members of Congress urging the Commission ``to modify its rules to help end or at least significantly lessen the influence of soft money.'' On June 5, 1997, the Commission received a Petition for Rulemaking from President Bill Clinton asking the Commission to ``ban soft money'' and ``adopt new rules requiring that candidates for federal office and national parties be permitted to raise and spend only ``hard dollars.'' These petitions are available for inspection in the Commission's Public Records Office. DATES: Statements in support of or in opposition to the petitions must be filed on or before July 18, 1997. ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Susan E. Propper, Assistant General Counsel, and must be submitted in either written or electronic form. Written comments should be sent to the Federal Election Commission, 999 E Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20463. Faxed comments should be sent to (202) 219-3923, with printed copy follow up. Electronic mail comments should be sent to [email protected], and should include the full name, electronic mail address and postal service address of the commenter. Additional information on electronic submission is provided below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Susan E 99 E Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20463. Faxed comments should be sent to (202) 219-3923, with printed copy follow up. Electronic mail comments should be sent to [email protected], and should include the full name, electronic mail address and postal service address of the commenter. Additional information on electronic submission is provided below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Susan E. Propper, Assistant General Counsel, or Paul Sanford, Staff Attorney, 999 E Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20463, (202) 219-3690 or (800) 424-9530. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 20, 1997, the Commission received a Petition for Rulemaking from five members of the United States House of Representatives. This petition urges the Commission ``to modify its rules to help end or at least significantly lessen the influence of soft money.'' On June 5, 1997, the Commission received a second Petition for Rulemaking relating to soft money, this one submitted by President Bill Clinton. President Clinton's petition asks the Commission to ``ban soft money'' and ``adopt new rules requiring that candidates for federal office and national parties be permitted to raise and spend only ``hard dollars.'' Generally, the term ``soft money'' refers to funds that are prohibited under the Federal Election Campaign Act, 2 U.S.C. 431 et seq. [``FECA''], either because they come from a prohibited source, see 2 U.S.C. 441b, 441c and 441e, or because the amount exceeds the contribution limits in 2 U.S.C. 441a. Conversely, the term ``hard dollars'' refers to funds that are permissible under the FECA because they come from permissible sources and do not exceed applicable contribution limits. Because both petitions relate to soft money and also seek similar Commission action, the Commission has decided to address the petitions in a single proceeding. The first stage of that proceeding is to announce the availability of the petitions for public comment s that are permissible under the FECA because they come from permissible sources and do not exceed applicable contribution limits. Because both petitions relate to soft money and also seek similar Commission action, the Commission has decided to address the petitions in a single proceeding. The first stage of that proceeding is to announce the availability of the petitions for public comment. Copies of the petitions are available for public inspection in the Commission's Public Records Office, 999 E Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20463, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Copies of the petitions can also be obtained at any time of the day and week from the Commission's home page at www.fec.gov, or from the Commission's FlashFAX service. To obtain copies of the petitions from FlashFAX, dial (202) 501-3413 and follow the FlashFAX service instructions. Request document # 230 to receive both petitions. All statements in support of or in opposition to the petitions should be addressed to Susan E. Propper, Assistant General Counsel, and must be submitted in either written or electronic form. Written comments should be sent to the Commission's postal service address: Federal Election Commission, 999 E Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20463. Faxed comments should be sent to (202) 219-3923. Commenters submitting faxed comments should also submit a printed copy to the Commission's postal service address to ensure legibility. Comments may also be sent by electronic mail to [email protected]. Commenters sending comments by electronic mail should include their full name, electronic mail address and postal service address within the text of their comments. All comments, regardless of form, must be submitted by July 18, 1997. Consideration of the merits of these petitions will be deferred until the close of the comment period. If the Commission decides that one or both petitions has merit, it may begin a rulemaking proceeding ail should include their full name, electronic mail address and postal service address within the text of their comments. All comments, regardless of form, must be submitted by July 18, 1997. Consideration of the merits of these petitions will be deferred until the close of the comment period. If the Commission decides that one or both petitions has merit, it may begin a rulemaking proceeding. Any subsequent action taken by the Commission will be announced in the Federal Register. Dated: June 13, 1997. John Warren McGarry, Chairman, Federal Election Commission. [FR Doc. 97-15940 Filed 6-17-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6715-01-P ## Nearby sections - [62 FR 55 Oranges and Grapefruit Grown in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas; Reapportionment of Membership on the Texas Valley Citrus Committee](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_96-33328.md) - [62 FR 71 Recomputation of Life Insurance Reserves](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_96-32855.md) - [62 FR 84 Television Broadcasting Services; Pueblo, CO](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_96-33340.md) - [62 FR 348 Proposed Establishment of Class E Airspace; Stuart, VA](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_97-79.md) - [62 FR 373 Radio Broadcasting Services; Cloudcroft, New Mexico](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_97-40.md) - [62 FR 691 National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; Revision of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices; Markings, Signals, and Traffic Control Systems for Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_96-33405.md) - [62 FR 695 Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Ohio](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_97-195.md) - [62 FR 949 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A320 and A321 Series Airplanes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_97-252.md) - [62 FR 1064 Proposed amendment of Class E airspace, Jackson, Wyoming](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_97-313.md) - [62 FR 1065 Establishment of Class E Airspace; Gregory, SD, Gregory Municipal Airport](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_97-312.md) - [62 FR 1071 Proposed Establishment of Class E Airspace; Milton, FL](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_97-306.md) - [62 FR 1298 Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney JT8D Series Turbofan Engines](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_97-469.md) - [62 FR 1705 Atlantic Swordfish Fishery; Atlantic Shark Fishery; Public Hearings on Draft Amendment 1 to the Fishery Management Plan for Sharks of the Atlantic Ocean](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_97-698.md) - [62 FR 1705 Royalty Rate Reduction for Stripper Oil Properties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_97-738.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_97-15940. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.