From Tilghman Act to Today: The Historical Evolution of Money in Politics Campaign finance regulation began with the 1907 Tilghman Act, banning corporate contributions to curb industrial influence during the Progressive Era. The 1970s brought the Federal Election Campaign Act after scandals, establishing the FEC and limits. Citizens United in 2010 expanded corporate spending, citing free speech, while studies like Princeton's 2014 analysis suggest elite preferences often prevail over those of av