Jewish co-sponsors included Sens. Barbara Boxer of California, Kohl of Wisconsin, Carl Levin of Michigan, Lieberman of Connecticut; Schumer of New York, Paul Wellstone of Minnesota, and Ron Wyden of Oregon.

A centerpiece of Sen. John McCain's unsuccessful campaign last year for the Republican presidential nomination, the bill has five major sections. 

One section would prohibit so-called "soft money contributions" from corporations and labor unions to national political parties, while doubling from $5,000 to $10,000 the amount an individual person could contribute to state political parties.

A second section would prohibit labor unions or corporations from financing campaign advertising which mentions a candidate within 30 days of a primary election or 60 days of a general election.

A third section, codifying what already has been decided by courts, requires labor unions to reimburse certain employees who object to the union's political acitivies.

A fourth section strengthens prohibitions against foreign nationals contributing to elections for national, state and local offices. 

A fifth section prohibits campaign fund-raising on federal property, including the White House and the Congress; bars federal candidates from converting campaign contributions to personal use; sets rules for determining whether a political committee really is independent of a candidate, and establishes a schedule for "more timely disclosure" of independent campaign expenditures. -- Donald H. Harrison