The Federal Election Campaign Act

The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), enacted in 1971 and amended several times, regulates campaign finance in U.S. federal elections. Its main goals are to limit campaign spending, require disclosure of contributions and expenditures, and provide public funding for presidential elections. FECA mandates that candidates report who donates to their campaigns and how funds are spent, promoting transparency. The law aimed to reduce corruption and allow fair competition, which has led to ongoing debates about the influence of money in politics and the role of super political action committees (PACs) and independent spending.