1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated March 3, 2016Candidates, Groups, and the Campaign Finance Environment: A Brief OverviewOnce the purview of only political parties and candidates, the campaign environment now features several different kinds of entities, ranging from candidate campaigns to pol
2、itical parties, political action committees, and “outside” groups. Some organizations activities are controversial amid debate over whether groups are primarily influencing campaigns or engaging in policy advocacy. This CRS “In Focus” highlights the various political entities that influence presiden
3、tial and congressional elections, and which, in turn, shape the environment for candidates. The Campaign Environment and Campaign Finance Policy Historically, political parties and candidates were the major actors in campaigns. Party influence waned during the 20th century as voters and campaigns be
4、came more “candidate-centered.” The landscape changed more substantially with the Supreme Courts 1976 Buckley v. Valeo decision, which lifted restrictions on independent expenditures (IEs) calling for election or defeat of candidates. Buckley marked the beginning of a distinction between contributio
