hard money

politics

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July 16, 2026

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In U.S. politics, "hard money" refers to funds raised and spent in compliance with strict federal regulations regarding sources and contribution limits, intended for direct support of specific candidates. This contrasts with "soft money," which historically involved unregulated donations to political parties for general messaging, though legislation in 2002 aimed to significantly curtail its use in federal elections. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 was a key piece of legislation that sought to close loopholes allowing soft money to circumvent federal limits.12

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Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002
Provisions
…amounts of permitted, lawful “hard money” contributions by individuals from $1,000 per candidate per election, where it had remained since 1974, to $2,000 per candidate per election (primary and general elections were counted separately, so $4,000 per election cycle was allowed) and provided for future adjustments in accordance with…
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…amounts of permitted, lawful “hard money” contributions by individuals from $1,000 per candidate per election, where it had remained since 1974, to $2,000 per candidate per election (primary and general elections were counted separately, so $4,000 per election cycle was allowed) and provided for future adjustments in accordance with…
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United States
Money and campaigns
…than $1,000 in so-called “hard money” (i.e., money regulated by federal election law) per candidate per election. The law, however, allowed labor unions, corporations, political advocacy groups, and political parties to raise and spend unregulated “soft money,” so long as funds were not spent specifically to support a candidate…
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…than $1,000 in so-called “hard money” (i.e., money regulated by federal election law) per candidate per election. The law, however, allowed labor unions, corporations, political advocacy groups, and political parties to raise and spend unregulated “soft money,” so long as funds were not spent specifically to support a candidate…
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