Issues

How strictly to cap the amounts individuals, PACs, and party committees may donate to federal candidates and party committees, balancing anti-corruption goals against free-speech and political-participation concerns.

The 2010 Supreme Court decision that struck down restrictions on independent political expenditures by corporations and unions, and the campaign-finance debates that followed.

Whether publicly traded companies should be required by the SEC or other regulators to disclose to shareholders the full extent of their political contributions and trade-association payments used for political activity.

Political spending whose original donors are not publicly disclosed — typically routed through 501(c)(4) "social welfare" nonprofits or shell LLCs that contribute to Super PACs.

Whether the identities and aggregate contributions of "bundlers" — individuals who solicit and pool donations from many other donors — should be publicly disclosed beyond the limited categories that current law covers.

How rigorously to enforce the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires those representing foreign principals in political or quasi-political activities to disclose their relationships to the U.S. government.

Proposals to tighten lobbying disclosure, lengthen revolving-door cooling-off periods, and reduce the influence of paid advocacy on legislation and rulemaking.

Government programs that match small donations, provide grants to qualifying candidates, or otherwise reduce candidates' dependence on private fundraising.

Whether shareholders of publicly traded companies should have a binding or advisory vote on the company's political contributions and lobbying expenditures, similar to "say-on-pay" votes on executive compensation.

Public-financing programs that multiply small individual donations (e.g. 6-to-1 or 8-to-1) to qualifying candidates who cap large contributions and meet eligibility thresholds.

Independent-expenditure-only committees that may raise unlimited funds from individuals, corporations, and unions to advocate for or against candidates, but cannot coordinate with campaigns.

The pattern of officials moving between government roles and the industries they regulate, raising concerns about regulatory capture and post-employment conflicts of interest.