FEC Bumps Campaign Cash Caps to Match Inflation Creep
Published Date: 1/30/2025
Notice
Summary
Starting November 6, 2024, and January 1, 2025, the Federal Election Commission is raising the limits on how much money people and parties can give or spend in federal elections to keep up with inflation. This means candidates, political parties, and lobbyists will see updated dollar limits that reflect rising prices. These changes help keep campaign rules fair and current without making anyone guess the new numbers.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Individual Candidate Contribution Cap Rises
If you give money to federal candidates, the per-election limit for individual contributions under 52 U.S.C. 30116(a)(1)(A) was raised from $2,000 to $3,500. This $3,500 limit is in effect from November 6, 2024, through November 3, 2026.
National Party Contribution Limit Increases
The contribution limit to national party committees under 52 U.S.C. 30116(a)(1)(B) was raised from $25,000 to $44,300. This new $44,300 limit takes effect on January 1, 2025, and runs through December 31, 2026.
Party-to-Senate Committee Limit Raised
The limit on contributions to U.S. Senate candidates from certain political party committees under 52 U.S.C. 30116(h) was raised from $35,000 to $62,000. The $62,000 limit is effective January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026.
Coordinated Party Expenditure Limits Updated
Coordinated expenditure limits that national and state party committees may spend in connection with general elections were adjusted for 2025. Examples: the limit for House races in states with more than one district is $63,600; the limit for House races in single-district states is $127,200; and Senate coordinated expenditure limits are set state-by-state (for example, California $3,946,100, Texas $3,006,100) for the 2025 general elections.
Lobbyist Bundling Disclosure Threshold Raised
The threshold for required disclosure of contributions bundled by lobbyists was raised from $15,000 to $23,300 for calendar year 2025. This adjusted $23,300 disclosure threshold applies beginning January 1, 2025.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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