New FEC Complaint Filed Against America Coming Together - June 29, 2004 Vol.5, No.13

June 29, 2004 Vol.5, No.13:

Published: 06/28/2004

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New FEC Complaint Filed Against America Coming Together

Three campaign finance reform groups have filed a new complaint at the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against an independent political committee, America Coming Together (ACT), alleging violation of FEC rules on what activities must be paid for with hard money. Hard money refers to funds raised subject to the limitations of federal campaign finance regulations, which prohibit corporate donations and individual donations over $5,000. ACT has used soft money to pay for direct mailings urging voters to defeat President Bush and elect progressive candidates all across the country.

The complaint was filed by Democracy 21, the Center for Responsive Politics and the Campaign Legal Center. Their press release said the FEC's ruling in an Advisory Opinion earlier this year requires all communications that promote, support, attack or oppose a federal candidate to be paid for with hard money, and the ABC direct mailings clearly oppose re-election of President Bush.

Independent groups, unlike political parties, are allowed to raise and spend soft money. However, they must allocate expenses between hard and soft money funds based on FEC rules. ACT denied any wrongdoing, saying it is in compliance with the allocation rules.

For more details see our summary of the FEC's discussion of allocation rules at its May 13 meeting.