Federal campaign finance laws

Federal law puts limits on campaign contributions to candidates for president and Congress. Learn about contribution limits and campaign financial reporting rules.

How much can you contribute to a candidate for federal office?

The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) limits the amount of money individuals and political organizations can give to a candidate running for federal office. You can donate to more than one candidate in each federal election. The current contribution limits are:

Can candidates spend their own money on their own campaigns?

Candidates can spend their own personal funds on their campaign without limits. But they must report the amount they spend to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Learn what are and are not considered personal funds that a candidate can spend on their campaign.

What campaign funds do candidates have to report in federal elections?

The FECA requires candidates for president, Senate, and the House of Representatives to report:

• The names of the individuals and political organizations contributing to their campaigns and the amounts
• How the candidates spend the money they receive and the amounts

How the Federal Election Commission regulates campaign finance law

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) oversees the enforcement of laws specified under FECA by:

• Setting campaign contribution limits for individuals and groups
• Overseeing public funding used in presidential elections
• Tracking campaign finance data