MeganFelder AmericanGovernmentMoney

Felder, Megan
American Government
03/24/2020- Late
Essay: Money and Elections
Word Count: 569
Money and U.S. Campaigns
In order to run for an office and win, it’s important to have knowledge of legislation and
economic policy. However, the ability to fundraise and financially drive one’s campaign is just
as imperative to their chance of success. In addition to having the required funds for advertising,
campaign staff and rallies, fundraising is an indicator of viable political candidates (Grutz). With
money being a key part in a campaign, donations and contributions from third parties can yield
corrupt politicians and must be closely monitored. Through a series of measures, congress has
attempted to curb the impact of money in our elections. As we look further into the election
system, we must analyse: How does money influence the outcomes of elections, including policy
and what has congress done to lessen these influences?
In order to understand the significance of money in elections, it’s important to elaborate
on the benefits and outcomes of donations and other campaign finances. As stated above,
fundraising helps indicate which candidates are likely to succeed. For many political candidates,
the amount of money they raise in the beginning of their campaign directly affects their
likelihood of continual funds. Candidates such as Jeb Bush and Ted Cruz both raised high
amounts during the 2016 elections and in turn resulted in increased press (Grutz). Despite the
benefits of high fundraising, many red flags arise when discussing donations, especially in
regards to large corporations. Many people have wondered whether congressional donations
have been used to influence policy (Grutz). Interest groups and corporations make donations to
candidates which in turn vote for or against bills that would hinder the interest of that group. This
Felder, Megan
American Government
03/24/2020- Late
Word Count: 569
raises questions as to whether our representatives have our best interest in mind. However,
congress has taken steps to lessen the influence of money on our democracy.
Since the 19th century, congress has introduced legislation to combat the influence of
money on politics. Early on, Theodore Roosevelt suspected that money in elections would be
used for corruption and influence (Grutz). Acts ,such as the Tillman act, limited corporations
from contributing money to candidates running in federal elections (Grutz). Additional policies
would come to limit the individual contributions and thus aim to prevent the influence of donors.
However, corporations and individuals alike fought, utilizing the 1st amendment, to express their
views by financial endorsement of candidates. The case of Buckley V. Valeo ruled that limiting
personal endorsements was unconstitutional. Throughout the late 1900’s, many rules towards
campaign finance were not followed. In 2002, John McCain and Russ Feingold created the
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act which placed limits on total money given to political parties
and attempted to prohibit candidate and PAC coordination. When a case was brought against
these restrictions, the supreme court upheld the act. However, Citizens v. FEC allowed
corporations to spend unlimited money on super PACs as well as led to removal of spending
limits on corporations. Congress has attempted and succeeded to an extent to implement
legislation to lessen monetary influence on elections and thus policies.
While it is important that candidates have access to financial contributions, thus
improving their chances of election, there are instances in which these donations may lead to
corruption in the government. Policies created to lessen the impact of these donations have had a
small influence in the past, while newer acts have increased the limitations of corporations and
personal endorsements.
Felder, Megan
American Government
03/24/2020- Late
Word Count: 569
Works cited
Krutz, Glen, et al. American Government. Openstax,

Pressbooks,https://pressbooks.online.ucf.edu/amnatgov/chapter/introduction/ .

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Felder, Megan

Money and U.S. Campaigns

and what has congress done to lessen these influences?

In order to understand the significance of money in elections, it’s important to elaborate

limits on corporations. Congress has attempted and succeeded to an extent to implement

legislation to lessen monetary influence on elections and thus policies.

While it is important that candidates have access to financial contributions, thus

Krutz, Glen, et al. American Government. Openstax,

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