[19980218]96-484GOV_有组织劳工的政治支出：背景和当前问题.pdf

57 Stat. 167. Earlier in the century, the Tilman Act of 1907 34 Stat. 864 had banned1contributions from corporations and national banks. The Labor Management Relations Act of 1947; 61 Stat. 159.2Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web96-484 GOVFebruary 18, 1998Political Spending by Organized Labor:Background and Current IssuesJoseph E. CantorSpecialist in American National GovernmentGovernment DivisionSummary Labor unions have traditionally played a strong role in American elections,assisting favored candidates through their direct and indirect financial support, as wellas through manpower and organizational services. While direct financing of federalcandidates by unions is prohibited under federal law, unions can and do establishpolitical action committees (PACs) to raise voluntary contributions for donation tofederal candidates. This PAC money is also known as “hard money,” because certainfederal limits on contributions make it harder to raise. It is also fully disclosed underfederal law. Other aspects of labors political support take the form of “soft money,”which is not limited by federal law and is not as hard t