What was a primary issue addressed by the bipartisan campaign reform act of 2002, also known as the McCain-Feingold bill?

The bipartisan campaign reform act of 2002, commonly referred to as the McCain-Feingold bill, primarily focused on limiting soft money contributions to candidates. Soft money refers to unregulated donations to political parties for purposes like party-building activities, which were often used to indirectly support candidates but could circumvent existing contribution limits. The act aimed to reduce the impact of big money in politics by prohibiting national political parties from raising or spending soft money, thereby encouraging more transparency and accountability in campaign financing.

This legislation was a response to growing concerns about the influence of large donations on electoral processes and the potential for corruption. By restricting these types of contributions, the McCain-Feingold bill sought to create a more equitable electoral environment and ensure that candidates were accountable to the voters rather than wealthy donors or special interest groups. This focus on curbing soft money was crucial to the act's intent to reform campaign finance laws and enhance the integrity of American democracy.