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MARCH 28, 2001

The Senate on Tuesday voted down a number proposals that would have limited, but not banned, the type of "soft money" donations that are the primary focus of the debate and would have increased "hard money" spending on political candidates by individuals.

The Senate voted 60-40 against limiting soft money donations to political parties to $60,000. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) want them banned outright.

The Senate also rejected 52-47 a proposal to increase hard money spending by individuals to federal candidates. The current limit is $1,000 and the amendment would have raised it to $3,000. It also would have increased the total amount an individual can give to candidates, parties, and political action committees (PACs) from $25,000 to $75,000.

All the amendments were introduced by Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.)

Get the Story:
Weaker Campaign Reform Loses (The Washington Post 3/28)
Campaign Finance Bill's Big Test (The Washington Post 3/28)

Relevant Links:
Open Secrets, the Center for Responsible Politics - http://www.opensecrets.org

Related Stories:
Independent political ads would be limited (3/27)
Campaign finance bill amended again (3/22)
'Anti-Cantwell' amendment approved (3/21)
Campaign finance debate begins (3/20)
Senate gears up for historic debate (3/19)