Answer :
Final answer:
The timeline indicates an increase in campaign finance regulation over time, with the creation of the FECA and FEC, and later the BCRA, to address issues related to campaign funding and spending. Court cases, however, have shaped the enforcement and application of these laws. Therefore, the correct option is C
Explanation:
The events in the timeline reflect an increase in campaign finance regulation over time. The passage of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) in 1971 established regulations for campaign contributions and expenditures, including the creation of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to enforce these laws. Over the years, further regulation was enacted, such as the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002, which aimed to limit 'soft money' and other previously unregulated areas of campaign finance. This act also strengthened rules on disclosure and placed restrictions on issue advocacy advertisements.
Court Involvement and Enforcement
Despite these regulations, court decisions have influenced the enforcement and extent of campaign finance laws. In Buckley v. Valeo, certain provisions of the FECA were struck down, whereas the BCRA faced its own challenges in court. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission significantly changed the landscape by removing limits on corporate spending, citing free speech rights.
