R. Sam Garrett
Analyst in American National Government
Shawn Reese
Analyst in Emergency Management and Homeland Security Policy
This report provides an overview and analysis of two recurring questions surrounding the federal government’s role in financing presidential nominating conventions. First, how much public funding supports presidential nominating conventions? Second, what options exist for changing that amount if Congress chooses to do so? Both issues have generated controversy in the past and continue to be the subject of debate. In the 112th Congress, H.R. 359 proposes to eliminate the presidential public financing program, including convention funding. This measure does not appear to affect separate security funding discussed in this report.
There have been no major changes to the presidential public financing program or political funding for conventions since the early 1990s (and, some would argue, even the 1970s). The 110th Congress enacted one law (P.L. 110-161) in FY2008 that affected convention security funding with the appropriation of $100 million for the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions (each was allocated $50 million). This security funding was not provided to party convention committees but to the state and local law enforcement entities assisting in securing the convention sites. The Administration’s FY2011 budget request proposed $20 million for a National Special Security Event State and Local Reimbursement Fund (NSSE Fund). The NSSE Fund would reimburse state and local governments for costs incurred when providing security at NSSEs, such as presidential nominating conventions.
A total of approximately $133.6 million in federal funds supported the 2008 Democratic and Republican conventions. Such funding was provided through separate federal programs that support public financing of presidential campaigns and convention security. Some Members of Congress and others have objected to federal convention funding and have argued that the events should be entirely self-supporting. Others, however, contend that public funding is necessary to avoid real or apparent corruption in this aspect of the presidential nominating process. If Congress decides to revisit convention financing, a variety of policy options discussed in this report might present alternatives to current funding arrangements.
Additional discussion of public financing of presidential campaigns appears in CRS Report RL34534, Public Financing of Presidential Campaigns: Overview and Analysis, by R. Sam Garrett and CRS Report R41604, H.R. 359: Proposal to Eliminate Public Financing of Presidential Campaigns, by R. Sam Garrett. For additional information on National Special Security Events, which include presidential nominating conventions, see CRS Report RS22754, National Special Security Events, by Shawn Reese. This report will be updated in the event of additional legislative activity concerning convention financing. .
Date of Report: January 24, 2011
Number of Pages: 17
Order Number: RL34630
Price: $29.95
Follow us on TWITTER at http://www.twitter.com/alertsPHP or #CRSreports
Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.
Analyst in American National Government
Shawn Reese
Analyst in Emergency Management and Homeland Security Policy
This report provides an overview and analysis of two recurring questions surrounding the federal government’s role in financing presidential nominating conventions. First, how much public funding supports presidential nominating conventions? Second, what options exist for changing that amount if Congress chooses to do so? Both issues have generated controversy in the past and continue to be the subject of debate. In the 112th Congress, H.R. 359 proposes to eliminate the presidential public financing program, including convention funding. This measure does not appear to affect separate security funding discussed in this report.
There have been no major changes to the presidential public financing program or political funding for conventions since the early 1990s (and, some would argue, even the 1970s). The 110th Congress enacted one law (P.L. 110-161) in FY2008 that affected convention security funding with the appropriation of $100 million for the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions (each was allocated $50 million). This security funding was not provided to party convention committees but to the state and local law enforcement entities assisting in securing the convention sites. The Administration’s FY2011 budget request proposed $20 million for a National Special Security Event State and Local Reimbursement Fund (NSSE Fund). The NSSE Fund would reimburse state and local governments for costs incurred when providing security at NSSEs, such as presidential nominating conventions.
A total of approximately $133.6 million in federal funds supported the 2008 Democratic and Republican conventions. Such funding was provided through separate federal programs that support public financing of presidential campaigns and convention security. Some Members of Congress and others have objected to federal convention funding and have argued that the events should be entirely self-supporting. Others, however, contend that public funding is necessary to avoid real or apparent corruption in this aspect of the presidential nominating process. If Congress decides to revisit convention financing, a variety of policy options discussed in this report might present alternatives to current funding arrangements.
Additional discussion of public financing of presidential campaigns appears in CRS Report RL34534, Public Financing of Presidential Campaigns: Overview and Analysis, by R. Sam Garrett and CRS Report R41604, H.R. 359: Proposal to Eliminate Public Financing of Presidential Campaigns, by R. Sam Garrett. For additional information on National Special Security Events, which include presidential nominating conventions, see CRS Report RS22754, National Special Security Events, by Shawn Reese. This report will be updated in the event of additional legislative activity concerning convention financing. .
Date of Report: January 24, 2011
Number of Pages: 17
Order Number: RL34630
Price: $29.95
Follow us on TWITTER at http://www.twitter.com/alertsPHP or #CRSreports
Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.
Posts
