Coordinated Party Expenditures in Federal Elections: An Overview

R. Sam Garrett
Analyst in American National Government

L. Paige Whitaker
Legislative Attorney

A provision of federal campaign finance law, codified at 2 U.S.C. § 441a(d), allows political party committees to make expenditures on behalf of their general election candidates for federal office and specifies limits on such spending. These "coordinated party expenditures" are important not only because they provide financial support to campaigns, but also because parties and campaigns may explicitly discuss how the money is spent. Although they have long been the major source of direct party financial support for campaigns, coordinated expenditures have recently been overshadowed by independent expenditures. 

At least thus far, coordinated party expenditures were the subject of more legislative action during the 110th Congress than during the 111th Congress. During the 111th Congress, three bills that propose to publicly finance congressional campaigns would restrict coordinated party expenditures. These include H.R. 1826 (Larson), H.R. 2056 (Tierney), and S. 752 (Durbin). By contrast, in the 110th Congress, the House and Senate considered legislation devoted primarily to coordinated party expenditures. S. 1091 (Corker) and H.R. 3792 (Wamp) would have eliminated existing caps on coordinated party expenditures. Neither bill became law. Additional legislative activity is possible during the 111th Congress. 

Those who support existing limits on coordinated party expenditures argue that the caps reduce potential corruption and the amount of money in politics. Opponents maintain that they are antiquated, particularly because political parties may make unlimited independent expenditures supporting their candidates. If the caps were lifted and fundraising patterns remained consistent with those discussed here, it appears that neither party would have a substantial resource advantage over the other. It is important to note, however, that individual circumstances would determine particular fundraising and spending decisions.


Date of Report: March 25, 2010
Number of Pages: 10
Order Number: RS22644
Price: $29.95

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