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Managing America: Campaign Finance Reform

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Week Ending March 16, 2006

H.R.1254 To amend title 44, United States Code, to require information on contributors to Presidential library fundraising organizations.

The bill report explains that the Presidential Library system began in 1939 under Franklin Roosevelt. FDR raised private funds to build his library and then turned the title over to the National Archives.

Over time the cost of maintaining so many Presidential Libraries was addressed by the requirement that private funders also provide an operating endowment set at 20% of buildings 70,000 Sq ft or less and a higher percentage as buildings sizes increase. A 2003 act required at least 40% for the cost of buildings for future presidents.

Because sitting presidents may begin to raise funds and because there is no limit to donations and no requirement for public disclosure the prospect of influencing a sitting president with a generous donation exists.

This bill requires disclosure of information about contributors and that organizations established to raise the funds report quarterly on all contributions of $200 or more and the information must be disclosed while the president is in office and before the Federal government takes delivery of the library.

Required to be disclosed is the amount and date of each donation, the name and address of the contributor and if the contributor is an individual, and his/her occupation. The data is to be posted on a free, searchable database.

Under the bill it is a crime for a contributor or organization raising funds to knowingly submit false material information or omit material information regarding a contribution. It is also illegal to make a contribution in someone else’s name or to allow someone to do so. It is equally illegal under the bill to knowingly accept a contribution made by one person in another’s name. The National Archives is required to promulgate fines and punishment for such breaches. The fines and punishments will parallel fines and punishments levied for similar violations Federal Elections Campaign laws.

The bill provisions apply only to future libraries.

Sponsor:  Rep. Henry A Waxman (D-CA-30^th)

Vote: Passed House 390 to 34 March 14, 2007 (RC 142)

Cost to the taxpayers: “H.R. 1254 would cost $1 million in 2008 and about $5 million over the 2008-2012 period, assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts” CBO said. “requiring NARA to create an online searchable database of Presidential library donations would have an initial startup cost of $1 million. In addition, CBO estimates that NARA would need $800,000 annually to update and maintain the database after it is established”

Earmark Certification:   H.R. 1255 does not contain any congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI

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MORE INFORMATION

George H.W. Bush library cost $83 million to build, the Clinton library cost $165 million to build, and George W. Bush hopes to raise $500 million for his library and think tank in Texas.

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