Glossary Definition:

Hard Money: Hard Money is money or anything of value that a political committee receives that satisfies federal contribution limits, source restrictions, and disclosure requirements. Before BCRA, national political party committees could solicit and receive money for certain uses, most notably to finance generic party activities and issue advocacy advertisements that was not subject to federal contribution limits and source prohibitions. After BCRA, national party committees are only allowed to use federally regulated funds to pay for their political activities.

Statutes and/or Regulations:

Disclosure of Federal Campaign Funds Generally, 2 USC §§ 431 to 441.

Definition of Contribution: 11 C.F.R. §§ 100.51; 100.52; 100.53; 100.54; 100.55; 100.56; 114.1

Contribution and Expenditure Limitations and Prohibitions 11 C.F.R. § 110.

BCRA Regulations:

Prohibited and Excessive Contributions: Non-Federal Funds or Soft Money

Contribution Limitations and Prohibitions

Increased Contribution Limits for Candidates Facing Wealthy Opponents ("The Millionaires' Amendment")

Multicandidate Political Committees and Biennial Contribution Limits

Commentary:

"Roll Call: Despite predictions, BCRA has not been a Democratic 'suicide bill,'" by Tom Mann and Tony Corrado, July 26, 2004

"The Committee Shuffle: How Soft Money has Changed Hard Money Spending in Congressional Elections," Robin Kolodny, Temple University , and Diane Dwyre, Cal State University-Chico.

"Soft and Hard Money in Contemporary Election: What Federal Law Does and Does Not Regulate," Joseph Cantor, the Center for Responsive Politics

Reports:

Introduction to Soft Money, The Campaign Finance Institute

The Big Picture: Hard and Soft Money Fundraising Charts, The Center for Responsive Politics