Campaign finance reform is a political effort in the United States to alter the amount of money in politics, mainly in political campaigns. Despite the changes to campaign finance laws passed in 2002, the flow of soft money has not been stopped. This is because these regulations only restrict soft money that goes to political parties, but not to other organizations. Companies, intimidated by retaliatory legislation, attempt to keep their voices out of politics in order to do business beyond state borders, and are increasingly being coerced into making contributions to campaigns to avoid being punished for fabricated political offenses.
As a result, the flow has shifted towards hard money. The 2002 campaign finance reforms have not been successful in halting the flow of soft money. This is because these laws only limit soft money that goes to political parties, but not to other groups. Companies are still being forced into making donations to campaigns and the flow has shifted towards hard money.
