97-15940. Prohibited and Excessive Contributions; ``Soft Money''

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 117 (Wednesday, June 18, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 33040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15940]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 117 / Wednesday, June 18, 1997 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 33040]]


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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.

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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 [phone], with printed copy follow up. 
Electronic mail comments should be sent to [e-mail], 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, [phone] or [phone].

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.
    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 [phone] 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 [phone]. 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 [e-mail]. 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. 
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