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1 [1] (May 19, 2015)

handle is hein.crs/crsmthaafen0001 and id is 1 raw text is: CRS Insights Candidates, Groups, and the Campaign Finance Environment R. Sam Garrett, Specialist in American National Government (rgarrett rslac gov, 7-6443) May19 2015 (IN1028) More than 300 presidential candidates have alerted the Federal Election Commission (FEC) that they plan to seek the nation's highest office in 2016. Few would be widely regarded as major candidates, and some undeclared candidates have nonetheless received substantial media attention. According to one recent mdia report, [flifteen White House contenders are being boosted by big-money groups run by their close allies. Most have not yet declared their candidacies but are instead fundraising for super PAC1. R..p. suggest that super PACs and entities organized under Sections 501(c) or 527 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) are filling roles traditionally played by campaigns or parties, such as developing policy positions and conducting opposition research. Various entities repotdly are preparing for 2016, especially the presidential contest, but also congressional and other races. Some of this activity has been .controverial amid debate over whether groups are primarily influencing campaigns versus engaging in policy advocacy. This CRS Insight highlights the various political entities that influence presidential and congressional elections, and which, in turn, shape the environment for candidates. The Campaign Environment and Campaign Finance Policy Historically, political parties and candidates were the major actors in campaigns. Party influence waned during the 20th century as voters and campaigns became more candidate-centered. The landscape changed more substantially with the Supreme Court's 1976 Buckley v. Valeo decision, which lifted restrictions on independent e xpenditures (IEs) calling for election or defeat of candidates. Buckley marked the beginning of a distinction between contributions and expenditures that permitted groups other than parties and candidates to influence campaigns. More recently, the 2010 Citizens United ruling invalidated a prohibition on corporate and union IEs in federal (and other) elections. New groups, which found new ways to support and oppose candidates, emerged after both decisions. Understanding the roles that different groups play in elections depends on two questions. First, are the groups regulated primarily by federal election law or federal tax law? Second, can they make contributions, expenditures, or both? Figure 1 below provides an overview. Figure 1. Major Political Entities in the Campaign Finance Environment