WASHINGTON - June 17 - After raising a combined $1 billion in unlimited corporate, union and individual contributions in the 2000 and 2002 election cycles, the Democratic and Republican parties are now living under a soft money ban imposed by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, also known as the McCain-Feingold law.

Where has the soft money gone? How have the donors adjusted to the soft money ban? What effects has the ban had on individual donations, PAC giving and contributions to so-called 527 groups?

The Center, in continuation of a project funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts to study campaign fundraising under the new law, will explore the answers to these questions June 25 at the National Press Club.

The Center will present an analysis of campaign finance figures that break down the patterns in political giving by individuals and organizations that made up the biggest soft money donors under the old law. The analysis will include a look at fundraising by the national political parties in the 2004 election cycle so far, as well as a breakdown of giving by industry.

The event will feature a panel discussion of how various types of political contributors, including ideological donors, business donors, labor unions and others, have adjusted to the new law. Participants will include:

LARRY NOBLE, executive director of the Center and former general counsel of the Federal Election Commission

ANTHONY CORRADO, visiting fellow at The Brookings Institution and professor of government at Colby College

PETER BUTTENWIESER, philanthropist and major Democratic donor and fundraiser

BILL MILLER, vice president and national political director, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

When: Friday, June 25, 2004, 9:30-11:00 am

Where: National Press Club, First Amendment Room, Washington, D.C.

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